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The New York Historical Society 



The John Divine Jones Fund Series 

OF 

Histories and Memoirs, 
ii 



Of this letter-press edition two hundred 
copies have been printed for sale. 

No. ^Q 

June, jgob. 




LOUISA SUSANNAH (WELLS) AIRMAN 



THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

FROM 

Charlestown, S. C, to London 

UNDERTAKEN DURING THE 

AMERICAN REVOLUTION 

BY A DAUGHTER OF AN EMINENT 
AMERICAN LOYALIST 

[LOUISA SUSANNAH WELLS] Aikma, 

IN THE YEAR 1778 



AND WRITTEN FROM MEMORY ONLY 
IN 1779 



NEW YORK 

PRINTED FOR THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

1906 






out 

Publisher 
'06 



OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY, 1906. 



PRESIDENT, 

SAMUEL VERPLANCK HOFFMAN. 

FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT, 

FREDERIC WENDELL JACKSON. 

SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT, 

FRANCIS ROBERT SCHELL. 

FOREIGN CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, 

ARCHER MILTON HUNTINGTON. 

DOMESTIC CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, 

GEORGE RICHARD SCHIEFFELIN. 

RECORDING SECRETARY, 

ACOSTA NICHOLS. 

TREASURER, 

CHARLES AUGUSTUS SHERMAN. 

LIBRARIAN, 

ROBERT HENDRE KELBY. 




MCMVI. 



Committee on Publications. 



DANIEL PARISH, Jr. 

FREDERIC WENDELL JACKSON. 

ROBERT H. KELBY. 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



"The John Divine Jones Fund Series" has been so named by 
The New York Historical Society in honor of their enlightened and gener- 
ous fellow-member, the late John Divine Jones, whose great interest in the 
history of his native State has led him to endow the Society with a fund 
of six thousand dollars for publishing works of an historical nature which 
may not fall within the scope of its ordinary " Publication Fund." 

The object of the Series is fully set forth in the Plan and Declaration 
of Trust on which the Society formally accepted the gift of the Fund for 
its establishment. It is to print, publish, and sell, under the direction of 
the Publication Committee of the Society: 

First, Such manuscript historical and biographical writings, memoirs, 
documents, and records, private or public, official or not official, ecclesi- 
astical or secular, civil or military, which shall relate to, or illustrate, the 
history of New York as a Colony or a State, or the history of any of the 
Dutch, English, or French, colonies in America, and which shall have been 
written prior to the year 1800. 

Second, Such historical works or documents relating to the history of 
New York, or that of the United States, or of either of them, which shall 
treat of, or relate to, events or persons, which shall have happened, or 
who shall have died, at least fifty years prior to the publication of the 
same. 

Third, That the cost of the volumes be paid out of the Fund; the vol- 
umes so printed to be sold under the direction of the Publication Commit- 
tee; and when the proceeds have been received, the same to be employed 
in the printing of other volumes, which in their turn are to be sold, and 
thus permanently to continue the issue of the Series. 

Fourth, That under no circumstances shall any new volume or vol- 
umes be put to press until the proceeds of the sales of the preceding 
volume or volumes shall be in the possession of the Society, to an amount 
which shall in the judgment of the Executive Committee be equal to the 
cost of producing such new volume or volumes. 



PUBLICATIONS OF THE JOHN DIVINE JONES FUND 
SERIES OF HISTORIES AND MEMOIRS. 



I. — History of New York During the Revolutionary 
War. By Thomas Jones. Edited by Edward F. de Lancey. With 
Notes, Contemporary Documents, Maps, and Portraits. 8vo. Two 
Volumes. New York, 1879. Price $15.00. 

II. — The Journal of a Voyage from Charlestown, S. C, 
to London, Undertaken during the American Revolution. 
By a Daughter of an Eminent American Loyalist [Louisa Susannah 
Wells]. Svo, pp. 132. Portrait and Facsimile page. New York, 
1906. Price $2.00. 



PREFACE 



This volume, comprising " The Journal of a Voyage from 
Charlestown, S. C, in the year 1778, by Miss Louisa Susannah 
Wells," completes the second publication of The John Divine 
Jones Fund Series. 

The Journal is reproduced frorn a verbatim copy from the 
original by Mr. W. G. Aikman, of Glasgow, Scotland, great- 
grandson of the authoress. The portrait is from a miniature 
painted about 181 5. 

Miss Wells married, January 14, 1782, Mr. Alexander Aik- 
man, Printer to the House of Assembly and King's Printer, 
Jamaica, W. L, and for many years a member of that body. 

The Index is by the Librarian of the Society. 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



' Portrait of Louisa Susannah (Weli.s) Airman . Facing Title-page. 
- Facsimile of Handwriting of Authoress . . " page i 



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THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 
FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 



London, May 3rd 1779. 

On the 27th of June, my uncle Robert Rowand, his son 
Charles Elliot, Miss Frances Thorney, my maid Bella, and 
I, went on board the Ship " Providence " formerly L'Esper- 
ance, Richard Stevens, Master, a native of Triero in New 
England, bound to Rotterdam. The other Passengers were 
Mr. Manson, Owner, Mrs and Miss Manson, and three 
other children, the youngest not two months old. Mr and 
Mrs Henry, Mr and Mrs Weir and a Mr Falconer ; master 
of a Jamaica ship, which had been captured and brought 
into Charlestown; but from his great age was liberated. 
We soon dropped down to the Roads, where we lay wind 
bound for several days. 

I cannot help here relating a trifling circumstance as it 
will show you to what necessity we were reduced for the want 
of British Manufactures. With much difficulty and trouble, 
I obtained three eighths of a yard of black serge; I pur- 
chased a pair of clumsy shoe heels of a Jew ; and in an ob- 
scure Lane, I found out a Negro Shoe Maker, who said he 
could make for Ladies. I deny that he could fit them. My 
shoes had no binding, were lined with French sail-Duck, 
and the heels were covered with Leather. On stepping out 
of the Boat, to go up the side of the ship, one of my dear- 
bought shoes slipped off. I exclaimed, "then I must go 
barefooted to Europe " ! Our Captain declared he would 



2 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

go to the bottom of the sea first, and almost leaping over the 
stern, he saved my shoe. Our fears for his safety were not 
small. On coming on board one of the ladies lent me a 
Morocco Slipper, two she could not spare. I used to darn 
my stockings with the ravellings of another, and we flossed 
out our old Silk Gowns to spin together with Cotton to knit 
our gloves. In the Country the Ladies were forced to use 
the thorns of the Orange Tree instead of Pins. 

On this day many boats were employed in carrying up 
Palmetto Trees and Boughs to celebrate, in Town, the Anni- 
versary of the ever inglorious 28th of June 1776! We 
saw the ruins of the Palmetto Fort on Sullivan's Island, 
now, Fort Moultrie. The Cannon Balls of the Ships under 
Sir Peter Parker, lodged in the logs as in a sponge. 

On the 1st of July, the wind proving fair, we weighed 
Anchor, having a Black Pilot on Board, to whom we prom- 
ised a hundred dollars, Congress, if he would carry us safely 
over the Bar. As we passed the Point at Fort Johnston, a 
providential escape I had of being drowned occurred to my 
memory. I was but ten years old when I attended my 
Mother with two Infant Sisters, both ill of the Hooping- 
Cough. We had an apartment in the Governor of the 
Fort's house, Col. Robert Howarth. I was tired of a Sick- 
room, and slipped out one day after dinner to walk on the 
Beach, and seeing the Point uncovered, I imagined it 
reached to Sullivan's Island, and I thought I might go 
thither with ease, and be back before dark. The Governor 
happened luckily to be looking over the Battery, and called 
out as loud as possibly he could through a Speaking Trum- 
pet, to run as fast as I could or I would be swallowed up 
in the Sea. He dispatched a Soldier to my assistance, and 
in a quarter of an hour I saw the Sand-Bank covered with 
surf ! Before that, I had escaped drowning in a Pond in 
King Street, being pushed off a narrow bridge, of two 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 3 

planks, by a mischievous girl, who wanted to get before me : 
but saved by the presence of mind of another, a girl about 
1 2 years old, the eldest daughter of Cato Ash ; who ran home 
to her Mother and told her my disaster, who sent a man to 
take me out. My other comrades were wringing their hands 
lamenting my untimely fate. I fell on my side, but should 
soon have been suffocated as the mud had got into one 
Nostril. The sequel of my voyage will prove that, a watery 
Grave is not yet ready for me. 

Perhaps you do not know what gave rise to the name 
the Sea-Island called Coffin Land? I will tell you. When 
the Hudson's Bay Company obtained so much interest with 
the then existing Ministry as to have the flourishing Scots 
Colony of Darien broke up, and its inhabitants recalled: 
Three large Ships were purchased and fitted up for the 
reception of such a cargo and sent. One of them was called 
the " Rising Sun." For what reason she anchored on our 
Coast I know not, perhaps for provisions or Water, but one 
of their Clergymen, the Revd. Stobo hearing there was a 
Scots Presbyterian Meeting House and Congregation on 
John's Island, came on shore with his wife, the next day, 
being Sunday and preached to them. A Storm arose in the 
night, and wrecked the ship on " Coffin Land." Between 
three and four hundred souls perished. Many of the dead 
bodies were washed on shore, Women with their infants 
clasped to their breasts were found cast up on this Island. 
Mr Stobo soon after was preacher to that Meeting, and I 
knew his Daughter, old Mrs. Joseph Stanyarne. His great- 
grand daughter Miss E. Stobo is amongst the number of my 
correspondents in Carolina. Another of these ships was 
lost on another part of the American Coast, and only one 
arrived safe to Scotland to carry the melancholy news. The 
wreck (of the Rising Sun) was very lately seen by my 
Uncle and he drew from it several great Nails which are 



4 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

now to be seen in the Live Oak Tree near his house at Stone- 
Landing. 

Every Person on board the " Providence " were banished 
except Captain Stevens. Never did any of us experience 
joy, so truly, as when we found ourselves in the wide Ocean, 
out of the dominion of Congress. You know the many 
difficulties the poor Tories had to encounter in procuring 
ships, getting Men &c. The poor Pilot by whose skill we 
were indebted for safety, seemed to enjoy our happiness, 
independent of our contribution, above his Master's fee. 
The Pilot boat sailed ahead and tracked our way, notwith- 
standing which we struck twice on this dangerous Bar. We 
had just reason to suspect that the Pilot of the " True 
Briton," Jamaica Ship (afterwards the " Prosper " Man of 
War, and purchased by Sir Edmund Head and Mr Kincaid, 
who restored her original name) had been bribed to run 
that unfortunate vessel on the Shoals. These Tories were 
obliged to return to Town, unload the Cargo, and the bottom 
of the ship to be repaired, which detained them many months. 
For this reason we chose a Negro Pilot, their's was a 
White man. Never shall I forget poor Bluff's (the name of 
the Pilot) anxiety when our Hay-Stack of a ship missed 
Stays on the Bar! He said he was a true friend to British 
Manufactures and that was as much Loyalty as he durst 
own, but these Revolution times was not so good as before 
for poor Negroes. 

London, May 5th 1779. 

Captain Stevens, too, had been ill used in Charlestown. 
We therefore turned our backs on the Land, which soon dis- 
appeared and Captain Stevens sinking a ballast stone said 
" When that rises, I return." I really joined him from my 
heart. 

A finer breeze, or rather gale, could not blow out of the 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 5 

heavens, for us. It was S. West. I have since learned that 
our friends in Charlestown were apprehensive for our safety, 
the wind being so high. In about seventy hours we had 
sailed near One hundred and fifty leagues N.N.E. from 
whence we took our departure, viz. from the Steeple of 
Saint Michael's Church, now rendered perfectly distinct 
from being painted black, as well as the Beacon, on the Coast 
(the Light-house was partly demolished) never being now 
mistaken for clouds as formerly, when white. Thus has 
their own caution defeated its own purpose — the Americans 
thought to conceal their Land-marks from British Invaders. 
Everything went on extremely well, and every one seemed 
desirous of pleasing each other. Some of us were Sea sick 
to be sure, but, I escaped pretty well, till the third night, 
when every Man, Woman, and Child were " casting up their 
accounts." Poor Miss Thorney was in a sad plight, but we 
made shift to compose ourselves to sleep. I must here men- 
tion a trifling dispute which happened between Captain Fal- 
coner and Captain Stevens. We all concluded that we had 
got out of the track of His Majesty's Cruisers and had there- 
fore settled matters accordingly. Captain Stevens said he 
should hoist Irish Colours, viz the Bell and Harp, as soon 
as we should arrive in the British Channell, and possibly 
might escape to Holland unnoticed, especially if the Ladies 
would go upon deck ; for our present simple unadorned mode 
of dress might make us pass for Irish Girls ! It would there- 
by save us the trouble and vexation of an Admiralty-suit. 
The old Gentleman, Falconer, insisted that if any colours 
were shewn they should be the Thirteen Stripes, as any du- 
plicity, if discovered, would argue against us — that it would 
be our interest to be taken and carried into a British Fort, 
as we did not know the trouble, nor, perhaps, the enormous 
expense we might be put to amongst the Dutch. In this 
opinion we all agreed, and the Bell and Harp was silenced. 



6 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

The Wind still increased, and several squalls ensued ; the 
ship too, was excessively leaky, occasioned by taking in a 
part of her cargo, six months before. This left two planks 
of her hold above Water, which when our Indigo and To- 
bacco were put on board, sunk them below the edge of the 
water at the Wharf. Guess then how much we gained in 
our Pumps by the straining of the Ship in the Gales? We 
thought it not dangerous, but excessively fatiguing to our 
small complement of Men, among which was not a good sea- 
man, excepting the Master and Second Mate. Poor Stevens 
had just thrown himself into his cot, with his clothes on, 
when the Watch cried out, " A Sail, a Sail ! wear or we shall 
be on board of her; but, she does not see us." Guess our 
alarm. " All hands upon deck." We dreaded more our 
American Friends and our new Allies the French at that 
time, than a Man of War belonging to Lord Howe's Squad- 
ron, notwithstanding it would be very disagreeable to be car- 
ried into a British Port on the Western Shore of the Atlan- 
tic. In wearing the Ship, and carrying so much more sail, 
our little moveables in the cabin and State rooms began both 
to zvalk and talk. The first thing which awakened me was 
my work basket and a parcel of books tumbling off a shelf 
upon my head. I got up, asked for a light, but this was 
denied me, as we were running from an Enemy, who was 
then in chase of us. I slipped on a wrapping gown, groped 
about for some letters which had been delivered to me, by 
the Wives of several Loyalists, to their husbands, in Eng- 
land, with a charge " not to part with them while art, 
strength or life remained." I put them into my bed and sat 
down on the side of it to ruminate on our mishap in not 
steering a point or two to the Eastward. The gentlemen 
went upon deck, and we were within hail of the other ship, 
when a Gun was fired to bring to, it flashed, a second was 
fired, and the ball went through our rigging. They then 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 7 

hailed us " Whence from, where bound &c." to which we an- 
swered without hesitation. They then hoisted out a boat, 
which was well manned to take us, as a prise. The boat 
passed under our stern, and as I was then sitting on one of 
the Lockers at the Cabin window I heard a voice cry out 
" Get ropes ready " ; at this moment a Volley of Musketry 
was poured on the deck from the Ship. The Shot whistled 
over the Passengers' heads, upon which they came below, 
not being yet willing to leave this World. The Man at the 
Pump was shot through the hat, upon which every sailor 
quitted the Deck and went under hatches, none but poor 
Stevens being left to combat a twenty gun ship, the people 
on board of which swearing at him for not laying to; how- 
ever the Lieutenant, and his men in the boat, boarding us, 
soon relieved him from his solitude by taking him prisoner. 
After placing a proper Guard, the Officer descended but with 
great' seeming reluctance I was told. He drew his sword, 
whilst Stevens searched for the Ship's papers. I was struck 
with the Lieutenant's height and bold appearance and, recol- 
lecting myself, was not a little disconcerted at discovering 
that I had no cap on, my hair hung loose and dishevelled, 
and neither Shoes nor Stockings on my feet. I stole unob- 
served to my bed, and peeped through the door curtains to 
see what was going forward. Mr Lock, for that was the 
name of the officer, supposed us to be French, at least our 
vessel had that appearance. He was not far wrong in his 
conjecture, for, Mr Manson had purchased her of some 
Frenchmen in Carolina ; and although she was British built ; 
she was entirely altered in her Masts and Rigging. She ap- 
peared so large and high out of the water, they took us for 
a ship of great force. Lieut. Lock had therefore orders to 
carry every Male on board of the " Rose," the name of our 
Captor Ship, which was commanded by James Reid Esq., 
Our conqueror soon sheathed his weapon, on seeing such a 



8 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

number of helpless Women and Children, but " owned he 
was uneasy at coming below amongst so many people, still 
thinking us French." Captain Stevens had been a great 
while in the Danish Service, and therefore spoke English like 
a Foreigner; and besides we had several French sailors on 
board. As soon as the Papers were got ready the Master 
and Owner accompanied the Lieutenant, in order to explain 
our situation to Captain Reid, but without success. This 
hungry Vulture guessed the value of our cargo, as coming 
from Carolina, and would hear nothing in our defence. He 
desired Mr Manson to particularise the contents of the 
Hold. " Seven hundred Tierces of Rice, Seventy casks In- 
digo and seventeen Hogsheads Tobacco." " Seventy of the 
latter you mean." " No Sir " returned Mr Manson. " It 
is no matter," resumed this disgrace to the British Navy, " I 
shall know when the Court of Admiralty shall condemn the 
' Providence ' and Cargo as my lawful prize at New York." 
Upon finding this, Mr Manson left the ' Rose,' and returned 
to us, with his heart full of pride, indignation and resent- 
ment at being thus treated by the servants of that King for 
whom we all had suffered so much. It seemed necessary to 
treat us as Enemies until he chose to consider us as Friends ! 



London, May 6th 1779. 

Lieutenant Lock also came back, and brought with him 
another officer, McBride I think was his name. The former 
comforted us as well as he was able, adding that we had not 
any great reason to believe our Ship should be condemned. 
Captain Reid had requested it as a favour of him to be Prize 
Master of our Ship but Mr. Lock refused, being Lieutenant 
of the ' Rose ' he had no right to be out of her, but as the 
other officers seemed to decline, he had offered to come and 
board us, however, after spending an hour or two with us, 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON Q 

he said he would so far oblige himself as to remain in the 
' Providence ' until we arrived in Port, were it only to be 
away from Captain Reid, who had the happiness of knowing 
that he was disliked by most of his officers. I ordered the 
cabin boy to set Wine on the table, for we had saved a little 
out of the fire in January, for which Mr. Manson and my 
Uncle thanked me, as it did not occur to them. Lieut. 
Lock's toast was " a happy sight of New York " the other 
said " Well here's d — n to Charlestown." This rude deputy 
of Captain Reid soon quitted the cabin, to examine our Hen- 
coops, and said he had orders to carry on board of the 
' Rose ' six Geese, six Ducks, six Turkeys and twelve Dung- 
hill Cocks and hens ! My Uncle forbade him " at his peril 
to touch them, as he had no right to a single article in the 
Vessel until condemned by the Courts." He said " the Cap- 
tain wanted them, and if we gained our cause, he could af- 
ford to pay for them." Matters were not settled until eight 
o'clock in the morning, when old Mr Falconer recollected 
that the Ship had not been pumped for many hours. The 
whole Ship's company, with several of the Sailors belonging 
to the ' Rose ' wrought hard, for a considerable time, before 
they could clear her of the water she had gained in that time. 
Indeed, Lieut. Lock frequently observed to us, during his 
stay in our ship, that ultimately we should think it providen- 
tial in having fallen in with the ' Rose ' as the ' Providence ' 
would not have swam across the Atlantic. She was pumped 
every two hours till the men were heartily tired, in the re- 
mainder of the Voyage. Our running rigging was also very 
bad, and, one day, with very little stress, our main sheet gave 
way. Had I attempted to have written my Journal last year 
I should have made but a poor hand at it, as I was then alto- 
gether unacquainted with the technical terms used on board 
of a ship, never having been afloat but in a Canoe or spend- 
ing an afternoon in the Cabin of a Packet-boat. 



IO THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

The day of our capture was the 4th of July, the day the 
unfortunate weather-beaten Admiral Byron and his fleet met 
with their disaster! It was very squally, and, with all our 
exertions, we could not keep up with the ' Rose.' In the 
afternoon we all took to our beds, to try if we could rest, 
and get refreshed after our fatigue and fright, when lo! 
Tables, Chairs and every thing which was not lashed, came 
flying to leeward ! The Gentlemen got up, but the Officer on 
duty had ordered them to shorten sail, as our topmasts had 
nearly gone by the board (or been carried away). Mr Lock 
made a signal to our convoy, to wait until we should come 
up with them, we being altogether defenceless, should we 
meet a Foe. The ' Rose's ' people brought a few Musquets, 
but before we had only one pair of Pistols, and they were in 
my Trunk, the Tories being all disarmed before they left 
Charlestown. 

On the 5th we began to be a little better acquainted with 
our new Commander, and he seemed perfectly satisfied with 
his new situation ; he declared " he had never been so happy 
at sea in his life before, never, till then, had he been blessed 
with the company of Ladies ". Captain Reid was every day 
sending us some uncivil message, such as, expressions of as- 
tonishment that he (Lieut. Lock) sent no letters for exami- 
nation ; surely he had not searched the Ladies trunks &c, at 
last Lieut. Lock was provoked at such rudeness, " Tell him 
I have searched Trunks, but can find nothing." We opened 
them for him, but, the melancholy effusions of separated 
families were committed to my care for we had no other 
papers to hide. 

By the first boat, Mr Lock sent to his Mess for a loaf of 
Sugar and some Lemons, to give us a treat, such delicacies 
we had not partook of for a long, long time; also some Port 
Wine for one of the Men who was sick. I mention this to 
show Mr Lock's humanity as well as his politeness. 



FROM CHARLESTOVVN TO LONDON II 

London, May 7th 1779, 6 O'clock a. m. 

Yon see how punctual I am, and how resolved to go 
through with my task ! You must own 'tis an Herculean 
Labour? There is not one woman, in the Parish of St. 
Bride above the rank of a Housemaid or Washerwoman, 
stirring yet, but I must not take all the credit of early rising 
to myself; my Father having a repairing Lease, of twenty 
one' years, of this Llouse, (in Salisbury Square) the Premises 
are full of Masons, carpenters, Bricks, Mortar and Wood, 
from five in the morning until seven at night. Helen and 
I take it alternately to superintend, or rather to watch them; 
we are in London, the centre of knavery, however you may 
well remember my habit of early rising; and tho' this day is 
not mine to rise soon, I chose it, lest Indolence should con- 
quer me. Truly, that kills more than the sword ! In your 
climate, the only time for recovering from the relaxation 
which perpetual Summer must produce will be before Sun- 
rise. I shall certainly know when I go there, in the mean- 
time I hasten to finish my narrative of last year. 

On the third night, viz: July 7th, in the second Watch, 
the ' Rose ' made a signal of another sail, which she intended 
to give chace to, and, that we must bear away after her. 
This was not very agreeable, as it obliged us to wear and 
alter our course. Towards daylight we came up with the 
chace, which vessel proved to be the ' Active ' Privateer of 
Liverpool. Captain Powell. This Ship had taken, the day 
before, a Schooner which had left Charlestown the same day 
on which we sailed. The Schooner's people had informed 
Powell of our being out, and he was then in pursuit of us ; 
however he would not have found us : for we should have 
been a good way from both that Latitude and Longitude, for 
as I observed before, we kept a N.N.E. course and had in- 
tended to do so for some days. 



12 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

I was much amused when in the Gulph Stream with the 
Flying-Fish which abound there, and with the Gulph Weed 
floating about. Well might poor Columbus be deceived and 
conjecture himself not far from Land! 

When we had finished our conference with the ' Active ' 
we again steered for the high land of Never Sink, on the 
Coast of New Jersey. As we drew nearer to the Coast 
Lieut. Lock observed we might expect to meet with several 
Cruisers, and from them we might learn some news, Par- 
ticularly if Philadelphia was evacuated by the British Fleet 
and Army, as such a report had prevailed in Carolina, and 
had contributed not a little to the success of the Abjuration- 
Oath. The ' Rose ' had been out on a month's Cruize, and, 
therefore knew less than we did ; but, we were soon put out 
of doubt, although unwilling to believe it; the next day we 
spoke the ' Camilla ', ' Zebra ' and ' Nautilus ' Men of War. 
They gave their intelligence to Mr Cole, acting Lieutenant, 
who brought the ' Rose ' alongside of us in the evening, Cap- 
tain Reid being laid up with the Gout. He informed us 
" that Philadelphia and all Pennsylvania was left to the 
" Rebels, and that, the King's troops were retreating 
" through the Jersies, and also that they had a severe conflict 
" on the 28th of June in a battle fought at Monmouth Court 
" House; in which the British were worsted. They had left 
" several wounded to be taken care of! " and also " that there 
certainly was a French Fleet of great force, mostly of the 
Line, in Chesapeak Bay." The latter news staggered us a 
good deal, but we would not suffer ourselves to believe it; 
however as a proof of its truth " Lord Howe had ordered all 
" the Cruisers belonging to His Majesty, into New York 
" harbour, whither these three were bound ". 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 13 

London, May 8th 1779 

After receiving this news, we soon made soundings, and 
in the morning of July 9th we espied Never Sink. I was 
not well enough to get up and see what gave every person 
on board so much pleasure, having caught a severe cold, by 
sitting upon deck, late at night. The next day however I 
ventured up to see, what my eyes had never before beheld, 
namely High Land ! You cannot conceive my surprise and 
astonishment! I expected to have seen the Land towards 
the head of the Vessel, but, as I came up stairs, I chanced to 
turn my eyes to the left, I exclaimed, like a fool, " we shall 
soon have a thunderstorm for that heavy black cloud por- 
tends it." This speech decided a wager in my Uncle Row- 
and's favour, who betted that I would mistake the land for 
a Cloud. 

But I have omitted to mention one material adventure 
which we met with before soundings were made and which 
made us all very serious till we were safely anchored in the 
midst of Lord Howe's Fleet at Sandy Hook, but this, with 
the remainder of the subject I must defer till a more con- 
venient season. 



London, May 12th 1779. 

In the evening of the 8th day of July, 1778, our whole 
group being assembled on the Quarter-Deck, Lieut. Lock re- 
quested us all to be silent for he believed he heard some Guns. 
We were soon convinced that he was not mistaken, as we all 
heard them plain enough. We guessed the sounds to pro- 
ceed from some engagement between a British Cruiser and 
an American, and, from the firing ceasing, supposed the prize 
to be taken. The quarter from whence the report came, the 
time &c, the Lieutenant noted in his pocket book, in order 



14 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

to have a share, should his conjecture prove true. Next 
morning being hazy, we saw nothing ; but about four o'clock 
in the afternoon, the look-out at the Main-top Mast-head 
cried out " a Fleet, a Fleet " ! We then concluded it must 
be some of the Transports from Philadelphia or at any rate 
the appearance of these Vessels accounted for the Guns 
which we heard the day before. The guns must have been 
fired as signals for carrying proper sail during the night, &c. 
About sunset some of the ships were pretty near us, so that 
I, short-sighted as I am, could see them plainly with my 
naked eye ! 

We had the precaution to nail a sail-cloth before the 
Cabin Windows and to be careful of shewing lights, lest 
they might be Enemies; various were our conjectures. 
Some of us dreamt and others believed them to be the French 
Fleet of the Line which we had heard of, but Lieutenant 
Lock would not hear of such a thing. He said the French 
Ministry knew better what to do with their ships than to 
send them to the Americans ; but, if they were, he was sure 
there was a superior force just at their heels. We might, 
possibly, see some of them before we got into port, and, per- 
haps have a share in the booty ! Thus did he endeavour to 
quiet his own and our fears. He said it would be a dreadful 
thing to be taken prisoner just at the beginning of a French 
War, merely from being out of his own ship ; for the ' Rose ' 
although a dull sailor, could easily have left us and made the 
best of her way, however, we went to bed tolerably composed 
and slept pretty soundly till four o'clock, the first Watch 
being kept by the younger part of our Company, and it was 
by those imprudencies I took my sickness. Mr Allan, one 
of the Master's Mates who had been sent on board to assist 
our Commander in navigating the Prize, called up Lieut. 
Lock and told him the Fleet astern must be French, as we 
Avere so near that he could discern the difference in their rig- 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 1 5 

ging from that of the English ships, and that unless more 
sail was made in an hour's time we should be in the midst 
of them. Mr Allan and Mr Lock both went ahead to hail 
our Convoy, and to tell the danger we were in. There 
seemed to be no Watch kept there at least no lookout. We 
accordingly crowded sail, and, by ten o'clock, left the Fleet 
greatly astern. In this distant manner did they keep during 
the rest of the voyage. On the i ith of July, in the morning 
of which day, we got a Pilot on board, every Boat we met 
hailed and asked us if the Fleet was Admiral Byron's or 
L'Comte D'Estaing's? We told them they were wiser than 
ourselves in that respect, for that we had had no conversa- 
tion with these great folks, as we made them keep their dis- 
tance, or, rather, had kept ours. By this time we got up to 
the Light-House it was Tide of Ebb and no wind, from 
which circumstances and the very bad condition of our sails 
and running rigging we were under the necessity of lying to ; 
but our " trusty and well beloved Cousin " James Reid 
Esq., made off as fast as he could crowd, nor did he stop 
until he found himself surrounded by half a dozen double 
Deckers at Sandy Hook. You will observe that, by water, 
a gouty old Fellow could run faster than an active young 
Officer. 

Lieut. Lock went down to the Cabin, in order to dress, as 
he expected to be ordered on board of the Admiral's Ship as 
soon as we should anchor ; but, being very uneasy, he came 
up on deck, before he had half finished this, to some young 
Gentlemen very important business, to see if everything was 
going on right above. What was his astonishment when he 
found we had drifted with the tide, above a mile since he 
left the Watch ! In a very short time we should have been 
with our good Friends for they had anchored only three 
miles below the Light-House. A gentle breeze sprang up as 
if to our assistance, and we hoisted sail, though not without 



l6 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

some seamen's blessings on the Pilot, for his great care and 
attention. 

We were soon hailed by the ' Swift ' Sloop of War! who 
was going down to reconnoitre. We could give her no sat- 
isfactory answers but obeyed her orders in getting out of her 
way as fast as we could. She at length got near enough to 
give the Fleet the signal of the day, which they not answer- 
ing, settled the point at once; for till that moment Lieut. 
Lock never allowed himself to think they were any other 
than an English Fleet. The ' Swift ' was so apprehensive of 
being taken that she threw out all her boats in order to be 
towed in, but the wind increasing she had no occasion for 
them. All the comfort we had was that the ' Swift ' would 
be taken first, for we were far from being out of danger, had 
the Comt D'Estaing chose to send a Frigate after us. We 
had the mortification to see five or six vessels taken by the 
enemy that day, which were bound to New York, but did 
not know of its Harbour being blocked up. 



London, May 16th 1779. 

Again I return to my favourite task. In our way up to 
the Hook we met with a deal of rubbish floating down with 
the tide, such as Hen coops, washing tubs &c, &c, which 
Lieut. Lock said gave him great pleasure, as the ships under 
Lord Howe were clearing their Decks for action, which he 
supposed, and hoped, would commence the next morning. 
Lieut. Lock seemed delighted to think that he had got in 
time enough to have some share in the glory, and though he 
were " to lose a Leg or a Wing ", to use the sea phrase " yet 
it would be fighting against the faithless French " our long 
and unnatural enemies. 

As the day had been exceedingly hot and sultry the Ele- 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 1 7 

ments seemed to threaten a War above, we therefore made 
as much haste as possible to our station. We went through 
the midst of the Fleet, almost every ship of which hailed us, 
asking " Whose Prize that was "? " from whence " &c. To 
the first query our Lieutenant seldom gave any answer, being 
very dubious of her becoming that of the ' Rose '. 

The sight of so many interesting objects did not fail to 
keep as many upon deck as could crawl out of their state- 
rooms. I did my endeavour, but not without some assist- 
ance, as my curiosity was too far excited not to wish to have 
it gratified. I indulged it in asking the names of the differ- 
ent ships as we passed them, and, was particularly pleased 
to find the ' Experiment ' there, commanded by Sir James 
Wallace, my Father's intimate and sincere friend ; he having 
been promoted to that ship for the many, and signal services 
which he had performed at Rhode-Island and at New York, 
since the American War : particularly against the Batteries 
in the North River, prior to the taking of the City of New 
York from the Rebels in i jj6 in our- little Rise. 

We flattered ourselves that a man of Sir James Wallace's 
character and reputation might have some influence with 
those in power, and, might possibly, prevent our vessel and 
cargo from being libelled in the Court of Admiralty: We 
mentioned this to our commander who promised to let Mr 
Manson and my uncle have a boat early next morning in 
order to try their eloquence with Sir James, Adieu. 



May 1 8th 1779. 

Memory like many other faculties of the Mind and 
powers of the Body, only needs exercise to bring it to per- 
fection ! My time is not my own. I am often under the 
necessity of breaking off, perhaps at a most interesting part, 



l8 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

however, as I hate digressions fully as much as you do, I will 
endeavour to resume the thread of my story. 

The Squall which threatened us, now began to operate 
in a most furious manner ; the Billows tumbled, Ships rolled, 
and several boats were lost. The Wind was exceedingly 
high, and thunder, lightening, and rain accompanied it. Our 
Officers were all upon deck, attending the sails &c, fearing 
we should run foul of some of our neighbours, which we were 
frequently in danger of doing : but almost in the middle of 
this scene of confusion they espied a boat making towards 
our ship. With great difficulty she made the side of our ves- 
sel. Mr Lock had strongly suspected all that day that Captain 
Reid would send for him as soon as we anchored at the 
Hook; nor was he far mistaken. Mr Hargood, Purser of 
the ' Rose ' was in the Boat, and had orders to supersede our 
friend, as Prize Master of the ' Providence ' ! Loth ! very 
loth indeed were we all to part with this worthy man. 
Whilst with us he seemed to render our situation as happy 
and comfortable as circumstances would permit. Indeed, I 
am inclined to think, and so did he, that this was the prin- 
cipal reason of his being sent for, however he said " As I am 
Lieutenant of the ' Rose,' I certainly ought to be on board 
" of her, as there may possibly, be some work for me to- 
" morrow amongst the French. Should Captain Reid lose 
" one of his laced sleeves possibly I may get some trimming 
" to mine ". You know the uniform of the Navy too well to 
be at a loss to guess what he meant. It still continued to 
rain excessively hard, but all our entreaties for Mr Lock to 
stay till it was fair were ineffectual : he ordered his Cot, Bed- 
ding and Chest to be collected as fast as possible, and set off, 
first recommending his Successor as a very worthy young 
man. We endeavoured to make ourselves as happy as we 
could with our new Commander, but, as the Sailors say, he 
did not seem to suit our trim much. He seemed to have a 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 



l 9 



greater hankering after the ' Loaves and Fishes ' than to ad- 
minister consolation to the afflicted. Indeed there was one 
very capital difference, Lieut. Lock could have taken him 
under his arm. 

Next morning the 12th of July, 1778 about five o'clock, 
Mr Manson and Mr Rowand rose to go on their embassy to 
Sir James Wallace, on board the ' Experiment ', but lo ! our 
topsails were unfurled, the anchor weighed and all things in 
readiness for sailing. What was our astonishment but we 
needed not to have been surprised as Hargood had his in- 
structions from Reid. A boat came alongside with a letter 
from Mr Lock to Mr Allan containing directions for some 
other things to be sent which he left behind, and expressing 
his surprise at our Manouvres, but lamented that he could 
not assist us or prevent any mischief which he feared threat- 
ened us. Great as our disappointment was in our two Advo- 
cates not getting on board the ' Experiment ', it did not 
make us despair. We all, I say we for Miss Thorney and 
I were always consulted, as we had shipped Indigo to some 
considerable amount in our own names, and were therefore 
Capitally concerned ; as I said before, we determined on_ 
drawing up a Memorial, to Lord Howe. Mr Lock had as- 
sured us that his Lordship was very free of access. The 
Memorial was to set forth our manifold sufferings and per- 
secutions, particularly that the Gentlemen had been banished 
under the late Act of the Carolina Council and Assembly, 
for not abjuring their King and Country for ever! Mr 
Henry, who had often used his skill in Penmanship in 
Charlestown, and with some success, undertook to draw up 
our Petition, Memorial, or whatever else you may please to 
call it — but as the clock has just struck seven, I must repair 
to the tea-table at which I have the honour to preside. I am 
as ever &c, — 









20 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

May 20th 1779 

I believe I left our junto as busy and as eager for the 
event, as the Members of the late Court Martials in Ports- 
mouth Harbour in the Cabin of the ' Sandwich ' for the Trials 
of Admiral Keppell and Sir Hugh Palliser. Our papers 
being finished in a tolerable manner, giving his Lordship all 
the titles which this country had so lavishly bestowed on him, 
it was carefully deposited in a locker, till a convenient oppor- 
tunity should offer to have it presented. 

On Sunday morning we made some little way up to the 
Capital, but the tide being spent and the wind lulled, we were 
obliged to let go an Anchor, just "off Gravesend on Long 
Island, where a number of Transports were riding. I be- 
lieve it was called " Gravesend Bay ". Here we had time and 
opportunity for Contemplation, Meditation and Reflection! 
An English and French Fleet in full view of each other. 
The Jersey shore on the Hudson River on our left, and one 
of the most fertile and beautiful Islands in the World on our 
Right. The rising grounds on the latter charmed me beyond 
description. It was what I had never seen before, nor could 
I see it for seventy miles to the Northward of Charlestown, 
an hundred to the West, and to the Southward, not till we 
reach the mountains in the West Indies : I said " Surely sick- 
ness dwells not here! Agues wan nor Pleurisy fell dis- 
ease " ! however in this I was mistaken as you shall see 
hereafter. 

Great must have been the consternation at New York, 
for we saw above an hundred boats, I believe, coming from 
thence to see the White Sheet flying, and thereby be con- 
vinced whether or not these ships, were In-i-mi-cal — Gen- 
eral Clinton, too, was apprehensive of the Rebels coming 
down from Elizabeth Town, in the Jersies, to attack his 
Lines near the Light-House, therefore he sent down a large 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 21 

reinforcement, which passed us in Boats. To see so many 
British Soldiers was really a treat to us, poor Exiles, whose 
only crime was their attachment to that favoured and 
glorious Isle! 

When the Tide made we got another Pilot to carry us 
through the Narrows ; a place which has made some figure 
in the annals of the present War. We did not get through 
till ten o'clock at night, therefore could not see the Fortifica- 
tions, of which the Americans made so much boast, and of 
which the British were so apprehensive. 

My sickness began now to be a little alarming insomuch 
that I could not go upon deck all Monday. Every one left 
me to see the Town. Even poor Bella came to my bedside 
intreating me to rise and see the Houses. I cared for noth- 
ing but to be out of pain, and I wished for solitude. In July 
1775 you were here? We had no Doctor, nor scarcely any 
medicines. Old Mr Falconer prescribed in the evening. The 
Dose was too strong: it was an Emetic! From eleven 
o'clock at night till two in the morning did Miss Thorney 
and Mrs Henry sit by me, holding my trembling hands and 
applying restoratives to my nose. Surely I must not forget 
their kindness, particularly that of the latter, who made up 
her own bed for me, and when I was able to be moved, put 
me into it. Luckily our beds were in the same state-room. 
Towards morning I grew more composed, and sleep that 
bounteous Alleviator of human woe, gave rest and ease to 
my helpless, and I may truly say, shattered frame. The fa- 
tigues which I had undergone after the great fire had nearly 
cost me my life! Good God! Without Thy powerful aid, 
could I ever have been able to encounter and overcome so 
much trouble and distress? but that hand which lays the 
burthen also gives strength to support it. Great trials were 
and perhaps still are in store for me ! You, who know what 
misfortunes and disappointments are, will feel for, and pity 



22 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

her — (No I hate to be pitied) for I still enjoy the present 
moment, nor think my sufferings great, till they are past. I 
say regard her who is and shall be yours, &c. 



London, May 21st 1779 

Although there are many breaks and interruptions in 
' this history of a captive Maid ' yet you must confess there 
are not so many hiatus's as in ' Henry & Frances ' which you 
and I had the pleasure of reading together some three or 
four years ago, — but to my voyage : 

On Monday the 13th of July we anchored off Staten 
Island, and with the Afternoon's Tide we sailed from thence 
and were safely moored in the Harbour of New York, very 
near Red Hook. 

As peace and quietness were absolutely necessary to my 
recovery, the prospect of getting a Physician and the hope 
of having those necessaries of which we stood so much in 
need, helped greatly to alleviate my pain and distress. 
About dusk of the evening Miss Thorney came down to my 
room and told me there was a Boat alongside enquiring for 
the vessel in which Miss Wells was, and that there were two 
gentlemen in her who seemed to be Officers in the Army. 
This, you may be sure raised my spirits. They soon came 
on board and were ushered into the Cabin. Guess how 
happy I was to find that one of them was Mr Robert Mc- 
Culloch formerly Collector of the Customs at Charlestown? 
We were all happy to see him, and really, I must say, that 
he shewed a particular degree of attention to me, begged 
leave to come into my room, and expressed great concern 
for my illness and promised to send me a Physician next 
morning — however I also administered the ' Cup of Conso- 
lation ' to him. The last house I was in at Charlestown was 
that of George Roupell Esq., the Collector. Mr McCulloch 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 23 

was engaged to be married to his eldest daughter, Miss Annie 
Roupell. The other gentleman was a Captain Lichtenstein 
of Georgia. He came on board to see if Mr and Mrs Kin- 
caid were with us. All the banished Loyalists were obliged 
to go into the Army, who had taken refuge in New York, in 
order to get a subsistence. In less than half an hour another 
Boat- full was at the ship's side. Alexander Irving Esq., 
Comptroller of the Customs at Georgetown. Captain Urqu- 
hart and Captain John Bernard both formerly in the Caro- 
lina Trade, with many others. What we wanted most they 
gave us first viz: — Nezvs. That the proposals offered by 
Great Britain, through the Commissioners, were rejected by 
Congress; that by the evacuation of Philadelphia, nearly 
thirty thousand people were added to York and Long Isl- 
ands, and, that provisions were so excessively dear we should 
scarcely be able to live, without assistance from Government. 
As to Lodgings none were to be had. These were comforts 
not unlike Job's but like him, we had seen too much affliction 
to be cast down, or to suffer our fortitude to forsake us. 
They also told us of a Boat having arrived about an hour 
before us, from Charlestown, full to the brim with Tories. 
We recollected to have seen a Brig sailing up to the Town 
just ahead of us, and some of our Passengers said they be- 
lieved she was the ' Eleonora ' commonly known for some 
time in Charlestown as the Tory Brig. The Mob had once 
assembled with Pitch, Tar and other Combustibles, to burn 
her at the Wharf, but some person, more charitable, cut her 
moorings and turned her adrift. I recollected immediately 
that my picture was in the ' Eleonora ' ! She left Charles- 
town the same day with us, steering S. W. for St. Eustatius, 
and from thence the Passengers were to find their way to 
Jamaica. This was rather ominous, but you shall have my 
Shadozv, and with that you must be satisfied until Provi- 
dence shall bestow on you the Original. 



24 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

That evening Mr Allan went on shore to give an ac- 
count of the Prize to Admiral Gambier, who then Com- 
manded the Port. He begged to know if he could bring 
anything which would relieve or please me. As we had no 
Port Wine nor fine Bread, I requested him to purchase some 
for me, putting Two Dollars into his hand. The grateful, 
honest creature would by no means consent to this, saying 
" he would never forget the good things he had in my Fath- 
er's House, when attending his Ship's Master Captain Hey- 
wood of the ' Martin ', stationed some years ago on the 
Carolina Coast. This comfortable refreshment, which Mr 
Allan soon brought me, contributed greatly to my returning 
strength, as I had taken no nourishment for four days. The 
hopes of being on Terra Fir ma prevented us all from sleep- 
ing- much. — Adieu. 



London, May 27th 1779. 

In my last I believe I brought my account to the 14th of 
July, but, you must excuse me if I am not now so particular, 
owing to many interruptions, one of which is a cough, which 
I caught in December last, and which my Friends flattered 
me that I should lose in the Spring. 

Early next morning our visitors sent us a Boat, almost 
laden with Currants, Cherries, Apples, fresh butter, and 
Milk. To me, who had never seen any of the two first, you 
may be sure they were very acceptable, although obliged to 
restrain myself. Never, till then, did I so truly relish a little 
acid. The sea voyage, bilge water, crowded ship, &c, were 
excuses for demolishing the baskets of Fruit, however, our 
feasting was soon put an end to, by Hargood, who came on 
board, with an Order from Admiral Gambier, and a party 
of Men, to carry every Male on board of the Prison Ship! 
This was altogether unexpected and soon cast a damper on 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 25 

our short lived joy. My Uncle asked Hargood " What was 
to become of the Women and children?" "To go on 
shore " returned he. " Where are they to Lodge ? " "Shall 
they carry any Baggage with them " ? " Only a change of 
Linen, and there are plenty of Tents on Long Island ". Thus 
did this hateful Wretch, consider us poor unfortunate Crea- 
tures! The Gentlemen, then, solemnly declared, that they 
would not part from their Wives, Children and Property but 
with their Lives! Never did I see Rage, with every other 
distorting passion so pictured as in their Countenances! 
The married Women too, shrieking and wringing their 
hands ! It was too much, and a scene too melancholy to be 
described with my pen. Miss Thorney and I still lay in bed 
as silent spectators, for luckily we had neither Husband nor 
Child to weep over. Our distresses were not yet too great 
to be borne. Hargood finding his intended prisoners so ob- 
stinate, discontinued his threats, and began to treat them as 
children, by coaxing. " Pray go with Captain Brian (the 
Commander of the Prison Ship) Gentlemen, it will be for 
a few hours, just to comply with the Admiral's Orders ". 
" Do " says Brian " Arrah ! my dear Sozds and ye shall 
have my own Cabin if that will plase ye," and, in this I be- 
lieve he was honest, for he said he thought we were ill used. 
Hargood left us to get an Order signed by the Admiral him- 
self, as the other was only given by the Secretary, James 
Dick — an ungracious — but for many particulars of this 
man's character and conduct I shall refer you to our Protest, 
which every one of the Claimants on the ' Providence ' and 
her cargo took before a Notary Publick at New York. In 
the meantime Captain Bernard came on board. Seeing our 
distress, he even shed tears, and turned about, ordered his 
Boat alongside, steering directly for Whitehall-stairs. Colo- 
onel Innes, formerly Secretary to Lord William Campbell, 
when our Governor, lodged near that place. Mr McCulloch 



26 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

acted as Secretary to him : to the lodgings of Mr McCulloch 
Bernard hasted with " Friendship's speed ". He had just 
risen. They both flew to Colonel Innes, whom they found 
in bed. He did not need much time or preparation, for put- 
ting on his Dressing Gown & slippers, went directly to Han- 
over Square, where Admiral Gambier's Quarters were. 
This Gentleman was quite astonished and said he had that 
morning signed an Order for us to be put on board of the 
Prison ship, and, that his Secretary had signed two. At the 
Colonel's representation of our case he signed our Release, 
and sent off Messrs McCulloch and Bernard as light as Mer- 
curies. As Hargood ascended one side of the ship with his 
Mandate, our Deliverers came with theirs on the other. 
Guilt and Disappointment both appeared in Hargood's face, 
each striving for the mastery ! He went off in his Boat, and 
steered his course to Sandy-Hook to give his greedy Master 
an account of his fruitless Embassy; but I had almost for- 
gotten one part of this Tragi-Comedy. Upon Captain 
Brian's bringing the Second order from the Admiral's Sec- 
retary Mr Dick, Mrs Henry and Miss Thorney dressed 
themselves, and in spite or defiance of Hargood's orders to 
the contrary, went on shore, enquired their way to the Ad- 
miral's quarters and arrived there just a few minutes after 
the two Gentlemen left the place. Admiral Gambier seeing 
two well dressed, genteel Women in distress, and so well 
able to describe tJiat of others, gave them another order for 
the Release of the Prisoners, fearing our other friends might 
not make so much haste. My Uncle gave them a letter to 
your old friend Mr Rivington the Printer, requesting his as- 
sistance in getting us Lodgings ; but, above all, to send me 
a Doctor. The Ladies soon returned with joy in their coun- 
tenances, nor were they sorry that they were not the first 
Messengers, as we were all in high spirits to receive them. 
— Adieu — More to-morrow. L. S. W. 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 27 

London, May 28th 1779. 

I am just returned from viewing the grand Exhibition at 
the Royal Academy in Pall Mall, consisting of Paintings, 
Drawings and Sculpture, but as I am so far behind in my 
Journal, I shall say very little at present, on these highly 
entertaining subjects. 

The remainder of that dolorous day we passed off pretty 
well. Indeed the triumph we had gained over our Enemies 
was a compensation for our Morning's Sorrow. Here you 
may moralise, if yon please, as I have no time now, but of 
this I had a plentiful share in my sick-room. 

Next day, the 15th the Gentlemen dressed themselves in 
their best American Clothes, some tivice seven years old, for 
such was my Uncle's Coat, being married in it fourteen years 
before. They went to the Court of Admiralty and heard the 
unfortunate ' Providence ' and her cargo libelled. There 
they saw several friends and enquired for Lodgings. Riv- 
ington had written a fine flourishing letter, of which he is so 
capable, to my Uncle, expressing a deal of friendship, &c, 
but never performed the least thing, not so much as to call 
on me whilst I was in New York, notwithstanding the atten- 
tion my Father always paid to his letters of Introduction by 
Gentlemen taking the Tour of America. My Uncle called 
at his shop and told him that I did not now need a Physician, 
Mr McCulloch having sent one the day before. The pres- 
ence of this reverend son of aesculapius, and the release of 
my fellow Passengers, contributed not a little to my recov- 
ery, adding to them the wholesome diet and good medicines 
which the Doctor prescribed and which we were able to pro- 
cure being in Port. 

In the evening our Friends returned with some Company 
from the Town, from none of them could I learn anything 
of Mr William Lowther or Family, and on whose Friend- 
ship, alone, I had any dependence. 



28 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

I was now able to go upon deck. Our vessel lay just off 
the King's Brew-House, on Long Island. We had here a 
fine view of Livingston's elegant House and Farm : the 
former converted into an Hospital for British Invalids 
whilst its Owner is Agent for Congress in Charlestown. 
Just behind the Brew-House and Hospital lies the Valley in 
which the famous Long Island Battle was fought of August 
1776. 

The East River here makes a bend and forms Curliers 
Hook. The Houses on each side of its banks. The Town 
of Brooklyn, York Island and the adjacent country forms a 
delightful Landscape. 

New York, I must confess makes no figure from the 
water : nothing to equal the order and regularity of the once 
beautiful Bay Street of Charlestown! Every house for a 
mile, three stories high ! You see there are few travellers 
who are not attached to their native place and are ever 
making comparisons with it. 

Poor little Governors-Island is now a perfect waste and 
ruin. The Rebels had made it an entire Fortification, which 
the British have so completely demolished, as scarcely to 
leave " a wreck behind ". You must recollect, however, that 
American Forts are not built of stone. 

Staten-Island produces nothing now, having Encamp- 
ments constantly on it; the Inhabitants have almost all de- 
serted it. It has one Fort, from which Signals of vessels ap- 
pearing, are made to the town. When you saw these places 
in 1775, they wore a very different aspect; but of all the 
sights, to me, the most extraordinary was the great con- 
course of Shipping ! All the British Navy to the Northward 
of the West Indies, were assembled in this Port. By the 
number of Troops in this Province you may form some idea 
of the number of Transports there also, in Government 
Service. 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 20. 

After waiting for three days, I heard of Mr Lowther. 
He had been out in the country on business, and had just 
heard of my arrival, and sent our Charlestown acquaintance 
Mr Mickie, with his Respects, requesting I would make his 
house my home during my stay in New York. Sorry was I 
to part with Miss Thorney, as we had been so closely con- 
nected for above a year ; but so crowded was Mr Lowther's 
house, and so large their family that I had only one fourth 
of an Apartment ! yet this was not singular, for many houses 
in New York contain one hundred Inhabitants. 

In the Afternoon of the 17th of July, I landed at the Fley 
Market Stairs, attended by Mr Allan, Mr Manson, Mr 
Henry and my Maid Bella. I could not help feeling myself 
a little awkward, as I walked through the streets, as my 
dress was so different from other Ladies, whom I met. The 
pavement hurt my feet, and the motion of the Ship was still 
in my head. 

The first place we stopped was at the Store of our old 
friend William Donaldson, who sent immediately for Mr 
Mickie. There I met a Mr Spens who had lately seen my 
Father, Mother, and family. My spirits were so high, and 
I felt myself so happy, at being in a country, where I could 
hear so much about Great Britain, that I believe they thought 
me half-crazy. Mr Mickie soon arrived, and had ordered 
his servant to get a cart for my baggage, and away we 
trudged to No. 70 Cherry Street, St. George's Square. Mr 
and Mrs Lowther received me with as much tenderness and 
affection, as if I had been a returning Daughter, instead of 
an acquaintance whom none of the family had ever seen ex- 
cept Mr Lowther. I was introduced to their Daughter, Miss 
Margaret, a fine young lady about seventeen. Their son, 
Tristrim, whom you must recollect, and Miss Barbara, who 
said she did not remember anything of you. Mrs Clarke, 
Mrs Lowther's sister, and Mr Roome, cousin to Mr Low- 



30 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

ther, composed this agreeable family. Surely my Letters 
are long enough. Adieu. 



London, June 5th 1779. 

No, I cannot write to-day! Anxiety, will sometimes 
overpower me, yet, I will strive against it. My thoughts are 
constantly engaged on one subject, nor can I obtain the least 
consolation from any person here. I sometimes think my 
ideas are deranged. Aid me by your counsel, to gain that 
Philosophy so essential to human happiness, of bearing with 
equal mind the ' Whips and scourges of the Times we live 
in '. Farewell ! 



London, June 16th 1779. 

Shall I wait, as the Quakers do. till the Spirit moves me? 
or set out at once, and persevere like a Christian ? I do not 
call the Ouietists Christians, as you know they partake of 
neither of the Sacraments — but — that point is settled. I am 
called on to repair to my work. 

6 o'clock and still light. 

I have cut the forefinger -of my left hand, in preparing an 
old gown for the silk dyer. No Pension for me, although 
fifty pounds were added to the solitary hundred when my 
sister came home : however, I have recovered my spirits 
since the 5th and these they cannot take from me. My 
Father says I have cut my finger on purpose, as I used to 
do in Carolina, that I might not be obliged to sew ; but I can 
still write; yet, I should not wish him to see the foregoing 
page. He would congratulate me on my retrograde im- 
provements ; it will vie with Champion's fine running hand. 
It is also strange that vexation should so easily shew itself. 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 31 

My Mind is now at ease, that is to say " for this day I will 
be contented " to-morrow may shift for itself. 



June 19th 1779. 

I once more resume an account of my Travels. The day 
after my arrival at Cherry Street, Mr Spens, Captain Mc- 
Culloch, Mr Rowand and Mr Irving invited Miss Lowther 
and me to take a walk, as the environs of this city af- 
forded many very pleasant ones. The place we viewed was 
the King's Dock Yard, where an old Seventy-Gun Ship, the 
' Leviathan ' was fitting up, to assist in attacking the Comte 
D'Estaing, or in guarding Sandy Hook. I was astonished 
at the alacrity with which the business was carried on, and, 
with what cheerfulness, Seamen from private Ships, &c, en- 
tered as Volunteers. Blue Ribbon began to be scarce in New 
York. Everybody considered the Blockade of this Harbour 
such a daring insult, that I really believe one half of the In- 
habitants wished themselves seamen that they might go 
down and chastise the French. 

As we ascended the Hill from the King's Watering 
Place, I was rather fatigued, but, the delightful scenes which 
presented themselves to my view rewarded my pains. The 
first was a large Encampment of the Royal Artillery, with 
several British and Hessian Infantry, indeed, it occupied my 
whole attention. The regularity, neatness and order of our 
Country Soldiers charmed me : but, the effluvia which came 
from the Lee-side of the Hessian Camp was almost suffocat- 
ing. All the Men smoke, and the Women too, added to the 
column of Tobacco reek. The Germans are now become 
almost as famous for their attachment to Music as the Ital- 
ians. We observed several of the Men, who were not upon 
duty, lying on the banks of the East River singing most 



32 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

melodiously in different parts. There were many groups 
and I discovered many Treble Voices exceedingly fine. 
Their Tenor and Bass were by no means despicable. 

There are a great number of Redoubts both on the East 
and North Rivers : but through General Howe's kindness to 
the Rebels, they had sufficient time to dismantle them of 
their Guns. 

In a Valley, a little above the Dock Yard, is a neat Brick 
House formerly the property of some of the Vans — but now, 
converted into a Hessian Hospital. Near it is their Burying 
Ground. We soon reckoned some thousands of Pounds out 
of the British Coffers, by valuing every grave at five pounds, 
sterling, the sum stipulated, for the loss of every Man by our 
Cousin German Elector. 

Would you believe my Ignorance ? As I came down the 
Hill I struck my foot against a stone. Good patience said 
I to Mr Irving, who could have put all these stones here? 
for I then perceived a great number rearing their heads above 
the grass. Mr Irving never forgot this story against me: 
but I had my revenge; for the same evening, in coming 
home, he pointed to the Jew's burying Ground, and asked 
Miss Lowther what Fort that was. 

I did not remain long without forming some agreeable 
acquaintance — Loyalists, from all parts of America. Male 
and Female, visited at Mr Lowther's. I was introduced to 
a Mr Ingram of Virginia who was a School fellow of my 
Uncle Archibald Rowand. He was drowned on the first of 
January 1759 in coming over the Bar of Charlestown. He 
was an excellent Swimmer, but being heavy laden with 
cloaths he could not keep above water but half an hour. He 
had a bowl of punch at his head drinking a good land-full. 
From subsequent circumstances it was suspected the Captain 
of the Schooner in which he sailed pushed him off the Poop, 
when he was standing whitening a stick to walk the streets 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 33 

that night with. His errand was to purchase his Wedding 
cloaths in order to be married to an amiable young Lady in 
Wilmington, North Carolina. There being no Watch- 
Maker in that Town my unfortunate Uncle was entrusted 
with many Watches to be repaired. Neither of which nor 
his money were found in his Chest. The Master of the Ves- 
sel said he had them all in his Pockets. He was just 22 
years of age. 

I had the pleasure of being intimate with a Mr and Miss 
Hunter who were in Bermuda when you were there. The 
latter said she saw you and your companions in Tribulation 
at the Governor's Ball. It is rather surprising that you and 
I should have fallen into the Jaws of the only two sharks in 
the Navy. Captain Fanshaw told me that there was only 
another besides Captain Reid who could have behaved so 
to Loyalists, and that was Captain Jordan of the ' Galatea ' 
I find now that it was the latter who took you whilst cruizing 
off Bermuda. 

In the course of a week my fellow Passengers were ac- 
commodated on Shore. I again enjoyed the Society of Miss 
Thorney. My Uncle and his son were very near me, but 
their Board and Lodging was One Guinea a day! Mine, 
with my servant would have been as much — think then the 
value of the hospitality I enjoyed. I found employment. 
My Uncle's old Stockings wanted constant repairs as well 
as my own, and we had little money to buy more. Adding 
to this a large chest of valuable Music with my best Apparel, 
being put into the Bread-room for convenience was claimed 
by Captain Reid as part of the Cargo! It was in vain to 
urge my distress for cloaths and want of money. Lieut. 
Lock said Reid suspected it to contain Plate and being under 
Hatches would be condemned. 

I was obliged to draw a Bill of Exchange on my Father 
for necessary equipments in this Theatre of Fashion. Altho 



34 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

I thought myself very moderate, Dress and my Passage home 
cost me One hundred Guineas. 

It was now high time to lay in our claims on the ' Provi- 
dence ' the twenty one days allowed, being nearly expired. 
Accompanied by many friends of both sexes, Miss Thorney 
and I set out for the Court of Admiralty in order to prove 
our property, or rather to swear to the truth of our Mani- 
fest, Bills of Lading, &c. and to sign a paper, which I think 
our Attorney at Law, called a Charges. We did not feel 
ourselves " so very bould ", as brother Jonathan says. The 
Judge Major Bayard, seeing our confusion gave us leave to 
withdraw. Mrs Lowther told me all the Gentlemen went up 
to the Table to look at my name. It surely was no matter 
of wonder to see a native of Charlestown write well, for 
there bad writing was seldom seen and good writing sel- 
domer praised ! Nothing has excited my wonder more since 
I came to England than the labour, toil, and expense which 
is bestowed on the plainest Education. I am thankful I was 
born and bred on the Western shore of the Atlantic. I 
should have died under the horrors of a Boarding School. 
The Court is held in a room up two pairs of Stairs in the 
City Hall, and is the same in which General Lee was so long 
a Prisoner. 

About ten days after I landed a dreadful fire broke out 
amongst the King's Stores. Some of the Shipping were 
burnt and not less than one hundred and twenty Houses 
were consumed. To paint the consternation of the people 
at that time is now impossible. The French Fleet seizing 
everything which attempted to get into Port. Lord Howe 
blocked up with his Fleet. Washington in the Jersies, and 
another General, I believe Green, threatening to attack 
Kingsbridge, this was enough, but to have Incendiaries 
within the Town was too much, they were almost frantic; 
which together with the unaccountable behaviour of the 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 35 

Soldiery at the fire for two or three days that I was bewil- 
dered — to think what it would end in. Every red coat 
thought he had a right to Command. Even at Mr Lowther's 
we were apprehensive, and I packed up my little all, fearing 
that at last we must follow Hargood's advice and " Dwell in 
Tents " One third of this populous City is now gone. The 
fire in 1776 consuming the best part of the Broad Way and 
those other fine streets at that end of the Town, with that 
beautiful old Church called Trinity are gone! This was the 
only Church in America built in the Gothic style. St. 
Paul's Church still remains — two reasons may be assigned 
for this, the first, not many houses being near it, the second, 
the Steeple not being yet built. This and St. George's 
Chapel, are the only places of Worship now open in New 
York, excepting a Scots Presbyterian Meeting House. You 
know their Loyalty all over the Continent. Our Pastor El- 
ders and congregation were every one banished from Charles- 
town. It was then I attended the Church of England 
so closely that I gave great offence to the family of the At- 
torney General and many other pious Tories, who insisted 
that I went thither to pray for Congress — however that 
might be, I gained a perfect knowledge of the Liturgy and 
at this present attend Dr Fordyce's Chapel on Sunday morn- 
ings and St. Bride's Church in the Afternoon. I know that 
I must become a Lutheran in Jamaica, or else stay at home, 
a habit which, however, fashionable there, I hope never to 
acquire. The North Meeting-House of the Independents in 
New York is converted into an Hospital for the Army, and 
another, of the same sect, serves for a Riding-School. How 
would Cromwell " gnash his teeth " were he to see this ? 
perhaps harder than he does at present. God forgive me? 
I have but one prejudice, and that is against those New- 
England Presbyterians. I look upon them as the cause of 
all our Misfortunes, and, yet, good shall come out of evil. 



36 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

I look upon myself as greatly benefitted by my sufferings! 
Tis in the school of Affliction we must learn Wisdom. 
Surely I have been satisfied and still can, be satisfied with 
hard lodging, coarse Food and wretched cloathing: 'tis the 
whims and caprices of others tempers which are so hard to 
bear; this has made me always so afraid of Matrimony. 

Mr and Mrs Tutnall of Georgia, but last from New 
Providence, were taken by D'Estaing's Fleet, and sent into 
Philadelphia. They were soon exchanged and sent to New 
York. From them I received many acts of kindness and 
hospitality. We now discovered that had we fallen into the 
hands of the French it would have been a fortunate circum- 
stance. Having a regular clearance from a Port of their 
Allies we should have been permitted to proceed on our Voy- 
age. Messrs Williams, Graham, Tunno and Tellfair ar- 
rived about this time in the Packet on their way to Charles- 
town and Savanna : they had letters for me from London 
which threw me into the horrors for a whole month. 



London, June 20th 1779. 

You see how determined I am to persevere. I will not 
let a day pass without adding something, however the task 
is not altogether so unpleasant as some indolent people might 
suppose, but to be sure it does require a little thought and 
some recollection. If you would (not) stigmatize me with 
the epithet of female Pedant, I should still write these sheets. 
" Utili dulcet jucundum " pray send me a translation. I did 
not travel far for the explanation of your French. Our Cook 
maid was educated at a Boarding School and reads that Lan- 
guage very well ; but I suppose you ' lived in hope ' before 
I applied to her. 

The excessive high price of Chaise hire prevented me 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 37 

from taking many agreeable jaunts into the Country. I 
wanted much to see the Camp at Haerlaem and even the Lines 
at Kingsbridge, but the potent reason of poverty prevented 
us. Yet we had learned to walk and often enjoyed ourselves 
in that way. A party consisting of all our Passengers, with 
several other Loyalists, just as idle as ourselves was one day 
made to go to Greenwich, but, it being too far, we stopped 
at a famous Tea House and Gardens, on the Banks of the 
North River ; the finest, perhaps in all America : but why 
detain you with descriptions of what you have already seen? 
In our way we visited the great Fort on Bunker's Hill, built 
by the Rebels. It commands the Town. What could have 
tempted Washington to desert this Post? nothing but Brit- 
ish Valour, and his well known Policy of never risking an 
Engagement when he could make good his retreat. We 
gained admittance into the inside of this Fortification. I 
had no conception of such strength. The Cheveaux de Friz 
on the outside seem to defy assailants, however they were 
never put to the Trial. This Walk explained to us all the 
Paradox of " Labouring to enjoy rest " Our sleep was per- 
fectly sound that night. 

Another Excursion I made with Miss Lowther, Mr and 
Miss Hunter, was at five o'clock in the morning on the Banks 
of the East River. Here I saw all the flat-bottomed Boats 
belonging to the British for landing Troops. We break- 
fasted at a House of Entertainment opposite the Wullbaugh 
or Back, a small Harbour for shipping to ride in safety, par- 
ticularly against the danger and risque of Fire, which so 
alarms the people of this Town. The spot on which the 
House stood was just at Curlier's Hook. I suppose you re- 
member the eighteen hundred Connecticut Troops stationed 
there, which were sent to intimidate the Yorkers in 1775: 
The Encampment was pointed out to me, and with it a cu- 
rious anecdote recurs to my memory. In 1776, when Lord 



3§ THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

Howe's Fleet lay off Sandy Hook there arose a dreadful 
storm of Thunder, Lightening and Rain, such as I have 
before described — insomuch that " brother Jonathan's heart 
did quake " but he did not fail to implore the vengeance of 
Heaven on his Enemies. The poor Britons struck their top 
masts, let go more Anchors and rode out the storm. Some 
ships put to sea and returned in safety ! but, how different 
was the fate of the poor unenlightened Yankies, or rather 
uneducated — Some glimmering of the science of Electricity 
having beamed on them from their great Dr Franklin, they 
actually stuck the swords in on the tops of some of their 
tents, by way of Conductors, and went to rest, thinking 
themselves in perfect safety; when lo! the faithless steel 
brought more quick down Heaven's wrath ! Several offi- 
cers were found dead in their beds. Nathan Childs, a native 
of New England, was there at the time and attended two of 
the Funerals ; and told this astonishing Tale to me in Charles- 
town after his return. He congratulated himself on coming 
to the Southward for his Education, and having " lived 
amongst people of sense " for such he certainly thought my 
Father and all of us. 

As the year I am recording 1778 — was a marvellous one 
to me, I shall record another accident which happened a few 
days after the fire and seemed to threaten destruction to this 
devoted Town. 

We had several violent storms of Thunder, Lightening 
and Rain during the Summer, not such as to the Southward, 
which are over in an hour or two; these sometimes lasted 
from ten o'clock in the forenoon until Midnight. This, Mr 
Lowther ascribed to the course of the Rivers round York 
Island. One day as we were reconciling ourselves to the bad 
weather, we saw one or two flashes of Lightning, and in- 
stantaneously, there was a sudden Crash as if the universe 
had been dissolved. Every person in the room with me was 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 39 

struck motionless. I was thrown from my chair to the floor, 
and my basket of work I had been doing, over me. I soon 
recovered and looked at my friends to see if any of them 
were killed, or rather, if any were alive to speak to me. They 
were employed in the same manner ; but those who were 
strongest had immediate occasion to give their assistance. 
Mrs Lowther had fainted. I cast my eyes to the opposite 
side of the street, and saw Mrs Winslow's House, apparently 
struck, as all the glass windows were shattered, and many of 
the frames thrown in on the floor. A Negro cried out " Mrs 
Winslow is killed " I flew through the rain to assist poor 
Miss Winslow (this family were Loyalists from Boston) 
when, turning to my left hand, I saw a column of Smoke 
ascending behind Waltons large house, which reached the 
Clouds. I was almost suffocated and the cry of Fire from 
all quarters spread terror and dismay around me. I forgot 
Mrs Lowther, Mrs Winslow and almost everything in this 
World, till a Gentleman coming from a Wharf, informed us 
that a Vessel called the " Morning Star " containing 200 
Barrels of Gunpowder had been struck by the Lightning and 
had blown up. I soon found Mrs Winslow at my Elbow. 
She had heard we were killed. The explosion was so great 
as to unroof most of the houses in the Town. At least that 
side towards the East. You know all the roofs in York have 
two sides, being Dutch roof, and covered with tiles or slates. 
The Glass in all the East windows in our House were shat- 
tered, excepting those in the room I slept in. I had always 
peremptorily insisted on throwing up every sash at which 
the rain did not come in. I had just gone down to the Par- 
lour to comfort this kind family. I had also put every metal 
article out of my pockets. They have very few Electrical 
Rods here in comparison to those in Charlestown. Had half 
the people been Masons and Glaziers they would have found 
employment for a month. The Bed of the River was seen 



4-0 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

and the Shipping much damaged. Happily there was but 
one Man on board of the vessel. The storm prevented the 
Master and crew from leaving the Wharf, as they were just 
ready to embark. Lord Carlisle was in the Ferry-boat com- 
ing from Brooklyn. He saw the Glass Cupola on his House 
demolished, and the windows sharing the fate of ours. He 
ran past me, and calling all his domesticks, he enquired if 
they had escaped without damage. 



London, July ioth 1779. 

My progress is so slow that I fear I shall never get to 
my journey's end. 

In September 1778 I received a kind and pressing invi- 
tation from Colonel Archibald Hamilton and his Lady, to 
pass the remainder of the summer with them at their Farm, 
near Flushing on Long Island. A young Lady from Flush- 
ing, who visited Miss Lowther, and some others whom I 
knew were going in the Packet boat. Little did I then know 
I was to pass through Hell Gates, to visit my Friends. I 
had some objections to that dreadful place, but as Sir James 
Wallace had ventured a few weeks before in the ' Experi- 
ment ' of 50 Guns, I thought a small Sloop might. This cer- 
tainly is equal to the " Scylla and Charybdis " of Ulysses 
On the right the Pot, so called, from its roaring and boiling 
like a Cauldron. On the left the Hogs-back, and only a 
narrow Channel between. The day before a Packet had 
been run on the latter ; the Passengers got on the Rock and 
were soon got off by the next which passed, but the vessel 
was lost, I think. 

In the evening we anchored in Flushing Bay as the tide 
did not suit for two hours later for us to get into the Creek 
to go on Shore. Our Passengers were fifty in number, of 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 41 

various degrees and denominations, but chiefly Quakers. 
There was one of this Class, an old facetious Man from Al- 
bany. He entertained us highly with his wit and humour, 
together with some Almonds and Raisins he had brought 
for the Ladies. In return I gave him some account of our 
Carolina people, their manners, customs &c. He smiled 
when I told him of the violent acts which had passed against 
the ' Non jurors '. He said " We far surpassed our North- 
ern brethern, and so we ought, being children of the Sun ". 
This conversation, with a few songs from the Ladies be- 
guiled the time very pleasantly. 

About 9 o'clock we landed at the great Wharf. Mr Usk 
and his party escorted me to the extremity of the Village, 
and there I insisted on their taking leave, as I could with 
safety place myself under the protection of Oliver Thorn the 
Boatman. 

Never was I happier to see friends than this family of 
Mr Hamilton's. They had been in Charlestown for a great 
part of the year 1771. Mr Hamilton was then a Captain 
in the 31st Regiment of Foot. Every act of kindness which 
we could shew strangers were most liberally bestowed on 
them both in sickness and in health, of the former they had 
by far the greater portion, and I was happy to find they 
were not unmindful of it. Mrs Hamilton is Grand Daughter 
to the good old Cadwallader Colden, so long Lieutenant 
Governor of New York. When he persuaded the last Colo- 
nial Assembly (They were called Provincial Assemblies) to 
pass some Act favourable to the British Government, his 
answer, was a repetition of the Hymn Nunc dimitis, a by- 
stander cried out " Well done old Silver Locks ". 

The next morning I was indulged with a Novel, though 
pleasing sight. The Regiments which had been on the Ex- 
pedition to Martha's-vineyard &c, had landed at White 
Stone, which place is a few miles below Flushing, and were 



42 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

all marching by the Farm along the high road. The Colonel, 
my Host, went out to see if he could recognise any old ac- 
quaintance amongst the Officers. He soon sent in Col. Stir- 
ling of the 71st or " Old Highland Watch " I turned my 
attention to the window and saw several of the Subalterns 
pulling the Peaches from the Hedge, and some of them had 
mounted the Orchard Wall. Col. Stirling immediately or- 
dered a safe-guard for the Farm, which was not unnecessary 
as the Soldiers begin to be fond of what they have been so 
long used to, namely Plunder? Col. Hamilton seeing the 
Gentlemen so fond of Peaches asked them to walk into the 
Farm House. (It had literally been a Dutch Farmer's 
House, although now furnished like a Gentleman's) He 
ordered in abundance of Fruit of all sorts then in season. 
Col. Stirling started when he saw the first Officer enter, and 
smiling said — " Your Lordship, I assume you, was the occa- 
sion of my ordering the Safe-Guard, for I believe it was you 
who first mounted the Wall ". He introduced him to us as 
" Marquis of Lindsey ". He really looked like a Nobleman 
more so than any I had seen in New York, excepting Lord 
Cornwallis. In a few months after, or days I should rather 
say this engaging youth succeeded to the Honours, Estates 
and Titles, of his late Father, the Duke of Ancaster. He, 
yesterday, July 9th 1779 resigned them to his Uncle, Lord 
Robert Bertie. The young Duke died of a Putrid Fever, oc- 
casioned by drinking Brandy and Champagne to a violent 
degree. 

The Military Travellers soon left us, and Colonel Ham- 
ilton, his Brother-in-law Maj. Antill (John Antill, Broth- 
er-in-law to Mrs Hamilton whose sister he married) and 
several others, set out on a scouring party with Governor 
Tryon to the Last End of Long Island, but I must break off. 
T am going to Church, where I shall remember all who do 
not pray for themselves, Adieu. 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 43 

London, July nth 1779. 
In my last I despatched General Tryon with his Aid du 
Camps and 1500 of the Queen's County Militia, of whom 
Hamilton was Commandant to cram down the Oath of Alle- 
giance in the Rebellious Counties to the Eastward. I was 
rather surprised to see several packs of Hunting Dogs, in 
the Retinue, but I was informed that after the business was 
done of making King's Men of Rebels, they intended to have 
some Hunting-matches on Hampstead and Bushy- Plains. 

I spent my time very agreeably at ' Innerwick ' this was 
the name of the Farm, so called from Mr Hamilton's Fath- 
er's Estate in Scotland. I visited several of the Neighbours 
particularly the family of " Ustick " to whom Miss Lowther 
had introduced me. Their House stands on the top of a 
beautiful rising ground, commanding the town of Flushing, 
the Bay and opposite shore. My Curiosity led me to go up 
to the Look-out on the roof of the House; of this con- 
venience, or place of amusement, you know how fond all the 
Yorkers are, as they never think a House finished without 
a Look-out — from hence I had a distant view of Kings- 
bridge, Hell gates and all the adjacent country. Flushing, 
for an American village is by no means despicable. It has 
a pretty little Episcopal Church and a Quakers' Meeting 
House. A few Gentlemen's Houses help to beautify it a 
little, particularly one of a Mr Cromlyne, built in the Caro- 
lina taste, with Piazzas and Balconies. This place is famous 
for having in its vicinage a Nursery of Fruit Trees, of 
almost every Climate; besides a pleasant Garden and Tea 
House for Strangers, kept by a Mr Prince. 

In my walks to Mr Dupuystens, Mr Cornell's and others 
whom I visited I was struck with many rural and country 
scenes of which a Native of the Swamps of Carolina can 
have no conception. I had often read of such things, but 



44 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

never had them realized before. The Stone Fences too — 
quite different from our Pitch Pine Rails! To see the 
Wheat springing up in September, and, that it was to be 
covered with snow in the Winter ! This was a phenomenon 
to me who had known Oats, sown in April, and ripen in June. 
This was at John's Island — at Busby Estate. — Dr Carson's 
and my Uncle Rowand has planted his Rice as late as July 
and turned his Cattle into the Fields to glean after Harvest 
in the month of October : — 'tis from this circumstance that 
our finest Butter is made, just before Christmas, and, from 
thence called ' Rice-field Butter '. I think the Poetical Epis- 
tle written by my Father, and addressed to my Mother in 
1773 — gives the best Idea of the Sylvan Scenes of my coun- 
try, I ever met with. 



London, July 18th 1779. 

I at last began to be impatient at not hearing from York 
since Lieut. Lock brought me a letter from Miss Lowther. 
I expected our Admiralty Cause was come on — in short — I 
was anxious to see an end of my peregrinations in America. 
Ruminating one Morning at a Window which afforded a 
view of a pleasant Meadow, a distant Hill, and the King's 
high road I thought I saw a Gentleman driving a Whiskey, 
whom I conjectured to be Mr Hunter. I was not deceived, 
for he soon made his appearance. I recollected that he had 
mentioned long before that he intended to make a visit to In- 
nerwick. I introduced him to Mrs Hamilton as an acquaint- 
ance of the Colonel's, who was then in the Fields. I asked 
Mr Hunter when he thought the Embargo would be taken 
off and when he intended to sail for Great Britain with his 
sister? To the first he said, "All ships bound to Europe 
were at liberty to sail from that day, for which purpose Sir 
Henry Clinton had issued a Proclamation. Several Ships 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 45 

had fallen down to the Hook, in consequence; and, that he 
had taken his, and his sister's Passages in a Vessel bound to 
Glasgow, and in three days would go on board." He then 
gave me a letter from my Uncle, desiring my immediate 
presence in Town as Judge Bayard had determined no more 
delays should be admitted in our suit, for, on Monday it was 
to be brought into Court. Guess then how happy I thought 
myself? Mr Hunter proposed borrowing a riding horse 
from Col. Hamilton and that I should take the Carriage and 
set out for New York in the afternoon. The urgency of the 
case made it necessary, and my friends consented; first 
making me promise if I should be detained in that Province, 
for the Winter, to make their house my home. My baggage 
was soon got ready, and my Squire and I set out after din- 
ner, accompanied by a Surgeon in the Army who had been 
visiting a young Officer in his Regiment, Mrs Hamilton's 
brother. I here learned to Nurse. This poor young Man 
had a Fever twenty sercu days. The family were worn out. 
I never watched in my life before, — but I gave great satis- 
faction. It was here I first saw the precautions necessary 
to prevent infection, by ventilating the sick-room and not 
swallowing the spittle whilst near the Patient. 

Our Route was through Jamaica Tozvnship. You have 
seen it therefore will not detain you with a description, I 
having only an en-passant idea of it at present, but I think 
it makes a better appearance than most small, thorough-fare 
towns in England. My attention was taken up with several 
groups of French Naval Officers who had been taken by 
Lord Howe's Cruisers. I could not help observing to my 
Companions that they would certainly carry home some of 
the Mania of Liberty to their own Country. — Jamaica has 
but one street in it and that exceedingly broad and tolerably 
well built. As it soon grew dark, I had it not in my power 
to make any observations on the Country, especially as I had 



46 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

the charge of my own Neck, being obliged to drive my 
Whiskey ; and, that too, over Rocky Roads which I never 
before had seen ! Not like the road to the John's Island 
Meeting-House, which Dr Carson used to say John Holmes 
might play Marbles on. It was three Miles long. John was 
• so proud to be made a Commissioner of the Roads that he 
was determined to fulfil the Office well. On the summit of 
a Hill, my Friends made me stop, and pointed to the Great 
Atlantic, on which the mild but refulgent rays of a full moon 
were shining. In the vale below I discovered an Encamp- 
ment, near a beautiful Grove; and, on the other side of the 
Hill, next the sea, was one continued scene of the domains 
of Ceres ! 

To make our Journey a little more romantick, as we 
passed through a Wood, Mr Hunter hummed a tune, but 
recollecting that I sometimes sung, he insisted on my trying 
the new Song which I had so often attempted, but without 
success, owing to the lowness of the Ceilings in New York : 
the Echo of a Forest would certainly satisfy me, accord- 
ingly I began " Shepherds I have lost my love " and went 
through it with great applause, at least of my fellow Trav- 
ellers ; the Trees and Shrubs, I believe the Screech Owl too, 
might have added to the Audience. I have never sung it so 
well since. 

The Doctor left us at Bedford, a small village on the 
road to Brooklyn. Glad was I when I entered the environs 
of this last place. It looks well from the opposite shore : — 
It is 17 miles from Flushing, and has made no inconsider- 
able figure in the Campaign of 1776. 

The Bells of the Men of War in the River rung for eight 
o'clock as we entered the Ferry-Boat. I found many of my 
friends assembled in Mr Lowther's Parlour. My Uncle con- 
gratulated me on growing fat with the Country air and good 
living I had enjoyed at Flushing. 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 47 

You see my Pen is almost worn out, and I assure you 
my Eyes are with so much scribbling ; but should these sheets 
afford you any amusement I shall think both my time and 
labour well bestowed. Adieu. 



London, July 20th 1779. 

I began next clay to make speedy preparations for my 
Voyage to this Country. Lieut. Lock's friendship still fol- 
lowed us. We had heard that many Loyalists had applied 
to Government for Passages in the Transports — but he cau- 
tioned us against them as those were so leaky, and had been 
so long in service they could not possibly stand the bad 
weather we might expect to meet on the coasts of Ireland 
and England. We determined to embark in a Merchant 
Vessel — however I must be accused of Ingratitude, were I 
to omit relating the very polite and generous behaviour of 
Major Bayard, Judge of the Court of Vice-Admiralty at 
New York. The Attorney General opened the suit on behalf 
of James Reid Esq., his Officers and Crew. The next Court 
day our Counsel were to deliver our Claim and make our 
Defence. The Judge said he was already acquainted with 
every circumstance which could be urged, on our part, and 
was fully convinced by the Characters of the Witnesses, who 
had been examined, that what we at first advanced was 
Truth. He was also sorry to find that so many undue meth- 
ods had been used to keep back Justice, and concluded with 
passing sentence in the following words : " It is the decree 
" of this Court that the ship ' Providence ' with her appur- 
" tenances, Cargo &c, be restored to their Original Own- 
" ers : — but must order that each party do pay their own 
" Costs ". and concluded with wishing that it could be other- 
wise. — but that there was some pretence for the ' Rose ' 



48 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

bringing us into New York, as we came from a Rebel Port. 
He also added that " he was happy in having it in his power 
that day " to restore honest Men their Property ". (His 
Worship forgot Miss Thorney and your Humble Servant. I 
suppose he thought we should not be pleased at being called 
honest Women and therefore I forgive him, for we got our 
poor little Fortune, of two or three casks of Indigo, which 
was much lessened in value by our Law expenses &c, &c.) 

At 12 o'clock this news was brought us, and before three, 
our Passages, were taken on board the " Mary & Charlotte ", 
Captain John Bernard of whom I have before made honour- 
able mention. In three days I was ready to go on board, 
but from delays, always attending Fleets, did not leave Town 
until a fortnight after : however our hurry prevented me a 
jaunt to Kingsbridge, planned by Mr Tutnall, though the 
fault was more on their side, being in still a greater hurry 
than we were, as they had the pleasure of tumbling about, 
in the ' Rum Adventure ' Transport at Sandy Hook, getting 
sea-sick, before hand, whilst I was frolicking about in Town 
amongst the many cheerful young Friends and acquaintance 
I had made. 

If you remember I once expressed a desire of living in 
New York? I am now totally off, that Scheme, for I would 
rather go to — to — to the scorching Torrid Zone. I do not 
like the place nor its climate. What it was I know not, but 
what it is gave me a surfeit of every thing on the Continent 
of America to the Northward of Charlestown. Various 
reasons may be assigned for this opinion of mine — perhaps 
spleen, vapours, pride &c, &c, no matter what — to escape 
being satyrical I shall refer this, with many other particulars 
'till we meet, either in these Northern Regions, or in that 
clime where frost, snow or Boreas' chill-blasts never enter. 
What a rhapsody for the 20th of July, say you? how could 
I tantalize you ? I am sitting in a room where the Sun has 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 49 

shone the whole afternoon, and where he still sheds some 
feeble rays; and all the Windows are shut, whilst you are, 
perhaps, panting for breath. 

On Saturday morning (my Birth Day) October 17th 
1778 my uncle, (Robert Rowand) his son, Charles Elliot, 
and I took boat at the Albany Pier, to go on board our Ship, 
which then lay in the North River, off the Battery. At 
twelve o'clock we weighed anchor, and bore away for the 
Narrows; and under no small apprehension of not getting 
Down in time, as the Fleet had sailing Orders. Next morn- 
ing, by daylight, we espied the ships getting under way, to 
the joy of every one on board, as we had all considered New 
York as our Prison for the ensuing Winter. I have since 
heard that it was so severe that heavy Artillery and Ammu- 
nition Waggons were transported to Jersey on the Ice of the 
North River. The Wind changing, we had time to drop 
Anchor in the midst of the Fleet at the Hook, about Noon. 
As to myself, I kept my Birth day sorrowfully enough — 
viz : — " in settling my accounts at the ship's side ". Sea 
sickness is a great drawback to travelling by water. 



July 30th 1779. 

You see how inconstant and fickle I am! — Ten days 
ago I thought I never should want inducement or leisure to 
write to you, at least an hour every day, — but, I have been 
sick, indeed very ill ; — but as I can only blame myself I had 
no right to complain. Duty brought me here. I always 
found myself worse after any sedentary employment. I 
therefore seriously have set a resolution to re-establish my 
health, without which every pleasure palls. Many pronounce 
me in a deep decline. You w T ould not know me! Yet may 
I hope these tedious years have not been spent in vain! 
Surely not. I can now hear the iron /mud of Poverty, the 



50 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

proud man's contumely, the Whips and Scourges of the 
times, &c, but, where was I in my Journal? 

Commodore Brown hoisted his Flag on board of the 
" Leviathan " and made the signal for all Masters to come 
on board for their Instructions. At five o'clock p. m. of the 
19th October we weighed Anchor, and I once more bid adieu 
to the hostile shores of America. Our Fleet consisted of 
nearly an hundred sail. Admiral Byron's Squadron of Sev- 
enteen Sail of the Line, with some Frigates, waited without 
the Bar to Convoy us safely off the Nantucket Shoals. 
Never did I see such a Grand Sight ! Such a number of 
ships under Sail ; and, what an amazing fine Harbour, is that 
of the Hook ? We had not above ten Pilots in the Fleet. 

In the cabin our Company consisted of several of my old 
fellow Passengers : — to whom were added a Mr Morley of 
Charlestown, who had formerly been a Coachman to John 
Wilks, and Mrs Morley, who held the honourable station of 
Cook to that great Patriot, also the Sexton of our Scots 
Congregation : not forgetting Bella, my faithful attendant 
and fellow sufferer. The sea had a worse effect on her than 
on me. I promised myself very little pleasure or improve- 
ment in the conversation of my fellow travellers, nor was I 
disappointed. I wanted Miss Thorney. She was to follow 
us in the ' Sally Cooper ' with Mr and Mrs Henry, but were 
not ready, and did not overtake the Fleet for three days. 

The first week of our Voyage we were becalmed, and 
the second, baffled by contrary Winds. The third, we were 
obliged, frequently, to ly to, for twelve hours on a stretch 
for the dull Sailers, to come up, and others, who through 
obstinacy, or carelessness, had ran foul of each other in the 
night. In the first gale of wind we met with, we lost sight 
of the ' Adventure ', Armed Ship, our Van-guard and ten 
other Sails. At length we gained the Banks of Newfound- 
land. The Sea-gulls and Penguins were pleasing sights to 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 5 1 

ns. We then reckoned between Sixty and Seventy Sail of 
Ships, and other Vessels. Here we waited almost two days, 
getting Soundings, bringing up the Fleet, and catching Cod 
Fish. Having so much Company, it did not seem as if we 
were at Sea, where the wide expanse of Sky and Water soon 
tires. Every day, excepting when we had a Storm, we spoke 
to some of our Friends. We once came so near in calm 
Weather, as to hold conversations without the speaking 
Trumpet, and the time when (the ' Echo ' a ship in which 
were some frolicksome persons) they began pelting us with 
Turnips, which we returned with Apples. (Frolicking is an 
universal phrase throughout America, Bahamas, and Ber- 
muda in the West Indies.) 

After we left the Banks we had very Stormy Weather 
insomuch that, for three days together, we were obliged to 
keep our Dead Lights in, and burn Candles, night and day 
below. From this time we never had a Chair in the Cabin. 
They were lashed to the Stern of the Ship, by my Uncle's 
orders. The Deck of the Cabin was very wet from shipping 
very heavy seas, which made their way, down the Stairs, 
notwithstanding all our care. I could no longer keep above, 
and once, on entering the Cabin, the Vessel gave a heel to 
the Starboard Side, which set me running to leeward. My 
Uncle who was in his bed, started up, with such agony in his 
countenance, that I shall never forget it. The Chairs were 
pushed under the beds with their feet outwards. He, nor 
I, expected nothing less than that, one of the feet would 
strike against the pit of my stomach! providentially my 
whole body went against the bars, and there was I transfixed 
with Terror! All the Passengers assisted in throwing the 
chairs upon Deck, and we sat on Trunks during the rest of 
the passage. 

How do you think I made shift to pass my time? I can 
assure you I was obliged to exert all my Philosophy ; which, 



52 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

together with the Guitar, made ' the heavy Hours ' support- 
able. I have already told you that we had no conversation 
and I detested cards. Frequently, for two or three days to- 
gether, I have been obliged to keep my Stateroom, merely 
for fear of having my bones broken. I was unable to sit up, 
without being lashed to the bed or trunk on which I sat. I 
kept the deck until the waves would come dashing over the 
Quarters. 

During my solitary hours, I often indulged in the pleas- 
ing reveries of " future times " : — the happiness I should en- 
joy the next time I went to sea. A thousand reflections 
would crowd into my mind. The scenes of persecution, 
fatigue and trouble I had left in Carolina. The various acci- 
dents, mock Sieges, Skirmishes and battles which, I had been 
almost a spectator of at New York. The pleasing prospect 
I had of being, at the end of this Voyage, in a land of peace, 
liberty and plenty, used frequently to make the leaden foot 
of Time fly with Mercury's Wings. To paint the first would 
take up too much of my precious time and paper, and my pen 
must have the veracity of that of an Evangelist before e'er 
I should be credited. Few people (on the Continent of 
America) who have cherished a spark of Loyalty in their 
breasts, but can bear ample testimony to these truths. 

As to the political state of affairs, whilst I resided at the 
Head Quarters of the British Army, you must be well in- 
formed of, and I have already said enough. Only this much 
I will add, that, sorry was every true friend to Britain to 
see so valuable a Fleet and Army lie almost totally inactive. 

Provisions were in great plenty in New York, although 
excessively dear. All kinds of Meat at yd sterling, per 
pound. Fish — none — as the French kept possession of the 
fishing grounds. Fresh Butter I4d sterling per pound. 

When Lord Howe, at last, undertook to go after Mon- 
sier D'Estaing, with the assistance of a few stragglers from 



FROM CHARLESTOVVN TO LONDON 53 

Byron's Fleet, to see what was going on at Rhode Island, 
our hopes were at the highest pitch, but the gale of Wind 
which dismasted the ' Apollo ' sunk then again to the lowest 
ebb ! Again his Lordship assayed, and three or four Frig- 
ates of the British, were burnt, and sunk, at Newport, for 
no purpose whatever, but hold, you will say; how dare I 
judge! What secret Orders might be sent out? America 
is decreed to have her Independency, and our Admirals and 
Generals are not to retard it if possible — Thre was a fine 
view of the siege of Rhode Island at the Exhibition of the 
Royal Academy. 

I had the pleasure of seeing the ' Isis ' Man of War sail 
up the Harbour of New York, with all her sails shot through, 
like a Cullendar, and her Masts all splintered, in an engage- 
ment, with a French Seventy four Gun Ship, thereby prov- 
ing what British valour is, when put to the test. (The ' Isis ' 
came through Hell Gates after the Engagement) The ' Ral- 
eigh ' too, an American Frigate, I saw brought into Port in 
triumph by the ' Experiment,' Commander Sir Jas. Wallace. 
The ' Unicorn ' Captain Ford had engaged her, and was al- 
most sinking, when the gallant and brave Knight, hearing 
his favourite Musick, viz :— the report of Cannon, crowded 
sail, hove in sight and ran in between the contending parties, 
gave the ' Unicorn ' time to repair her damages, and made 
the thirteen stripes strike to the Union. 

Need I tell how many great Men I saw daily in that 
Warlike City ? Lord Carlisle, Governor Johnston, Mr Eden, 
Sir William Erskine, Lord Cornwallis, Sir Henry Clinton, 
Lord Cathcart, Lord Rawdon, Lord Balcarras, Lord Drum- 
mond and Sir James Baird. This last mentioned walked 
through the Streets with his Bayonet hanging at his back, 
stained with the blood of Lady Washington's Life Guards, 
whom his party beset, and killed in a house in the Jersies. 

Farewell. 



54 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

London, August 15th 1779. 

After so long a cessation from this Labour I scarcely 
know how to recommence it : — How I have been engaged 
my Letters by the Packets, and other Opportunities, will in- 
form you ; but the sole end in view, when I set out the differ- 
ent excursions I have been engaged in was to reestablish 
my health. 

When I broke off, a deep impression was on my mind 
of the only conversation I recollect, worth recording, during 
my voyage. I shall never forget it. As every one who knew 
me, also knew that I had a retentive memory, one day Jn. 
Mills, the Sexton, whom I mentioned as one of our Pas- 
sengers, asked me if I recollected a young Gentleman who 
died some years ago in Charlestown, of the name of Wood- 
rop? I told him " perfectly " and also that my Father was 
a Mourner at his Funeral, that he died at night, and was 
buried at eleven o'clock the next forenoon. On my Father's 
taking off his hat-band, he expressed great uneasiness, and 
said the body did not appear like a dead Corpse, there 
seemed to be a bloom on the Countenance ! that he had men- 
tioned this to Mr Andrew Robertson, Woodrop's uncle ; but 
he declared he was actually dead. On asking him why the 
Funeral was so hurried, and not put off till the evening, as 
others in general were, he said " Mrs Robertson could not 
bear the Corpse in the house as she had so many young Chil- 
dren " Mills then asked me if I recollected nothing else. I 
told him I did — About two years after, a report prevailed, 
that Mr Woodrop was buried alive, but, on endeavouring to 
gratify my Curiosity I never could get any information to 
be depended on, and I, as well as many others, had given up 
all further enquiries. Mr Mills then said in the presence of 
my uncle. Mr John Wyat, and others who were listening to 
our discourse. " I am now released from the solemn prom- 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 55 

" ise I made Mr and Mrs Robertson, of refusing- all infor- 
" mation on that melancholy subject, to any person who 
" should apply to me in Carolina. The dead could not now 
" be raised ". He continued " As my predecessor Mr Pratt 
" was very old and infirm, I assisted him in digging graves 
" often, but was not long enough with him to be thoroughly 
" acquainted with the situation of the Burying Ground, and 
" could not tell, without much probing and searching, what 
" Graves were ripe, for other interments. The funeral of 
" another person being ordered at an early hour, he was 
" obliged to dig the Grave at night. He had two black boys 
" with him. The spade, in shaping the Grave, broke a piece 
" off the side of a coffin. Mills said he then descended into 
" the hole, and saw the backbone of a human Skeleton. This 
" unusual posture for a dead person, surprised him not a 
"little; so that, with the assistance of his boys, he opened 
" the grave, uncovered the lid of the coffin, and found the 
" deceased lying on its side, with the cheek bone in the palm 
"of the hand! On the breast plate was painted George 
Woodrop, died 1770 aged 22 or 23 years I forget which." 
To this horrid tale, that seemed to harrow up our whole 
nervous system I added, " that my Father visited the unfor- 
' tunate Youth, in his illness, at the request of Mr Robert- 
' son, to endeavour to rouse his Spirits : the fever being pro- 
' nounced nervous. He said to us when he returned, that 
' the Doctors say that little or nothing is the matter with 
' him " it is all on the mind. Every error of youth, every 
' transgression seems to sink him down, particularly his at- 

' tachment to that infamous Woman, S R " This 

creature, lived many years, publickly, with Mr J S 

the Merchant, and he afterwards married her. His brother 
Robert disowned him. Before my Father left Charlestown 
he obliged us to drop an acquaintance, at whose house Mrs 
S visited. I again met her at Mrs Benfield's. She ac- 



56 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

costed me with great familiarity, she being the sister of the 
woman with whom I had learned my Alphabet. After some 
conversation, she took out her Watch. " Do you know that 
Miss Wells ? " " No Madam, I do not " returned I. " Then 
" you perfectly knew its first owner. It was given me by 
" George Woodrop, a few days before he fell sick, of which 
" illness he died." This shameless Woman never discovered 
any emotion, or the least change of countenance. She was 
still beautiful. I have been rather diffuse in this most re- 
markable story. Here the Proverbs of Solomon are truly 
verified. I need not say that I never resorted again to Mrs 

Benfield's house. The unceasing entreaties of Mrs S to 

visit her quite shocked me. 



London, August 16th 1779. 

About the 17th of November the 'Leviathan' made a 
signal for the Fleet to heave to. The ships bound to St. 
George's Channel were to separate from us. It was night 
before this business was completed, as many Invalids, in- 
tending to go to Chelsea Hospital were on board the Cork 
Transports. We also took leave of my Friends, Mr and 
Miss Hunter. As we approached the British Channel we 
began to quake, for fear of being taken by French' or Ameri- 
can Privateers : our Convoy was not able to defend us, and 
so badly manned, that had it not been for the Captains and 
Officers of the Frigates destroyed at Rhode Island, who were 
Passengers, they never would have got their sails reefed in 
a gale of wind, before the Masts had been carried away. 

About the 20th we struck for soundings, and to our great 
joy, brought up some English sand. The weather was fine, 
and every thing bid fair for a good Land-Fall. 

In the Chops of the Channel we espied a Vessel, like an 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 57 

English Frigate, with the British Flag, coming down as if 
just out of Port. She kept to leeward, but with great bold- 
ness, as if she knew who and what we were. Our Commo- 
dore ordered her to come under his Stern. He then sent a 
snow to speak her. They both lay to for a considerable 
time. The Commodore hoisted his topsails and bore down 
upon them. No sooner did our unknown friend espy him, 
than he crowded every inch of Canvass in his power, as fast 
as possible and escaped. How eager were all the Ships to 
crowd around the Convoy that night, and all the rest of that 
Voyage, 'till that dreadful Channel-storm separated us; 
some, alas for ever! 

On the 2 1 st we could see only ten Ships, besides the Com- 
modore, being enveloped in a thick fog, and driving with the 
Current in a smart gale of wind. No observation could be 
taken ; we guessed where we were. Next morning the wind 
was higher, and the current stronger, as we approached the 
shore. We could only carry our Courses, and our Captain 
said we went at the rate of nine knots. About 10 o'clock 
a.m. we saw the Man of War shifting his sails, as if going 
to wear. Our Mate went aloft to look out for land. He 
soon came down, saying " We must be within a League of 
it " as he saw the Sea breaking over the Rocks, as high as 
a Steeple ". We were steering directly in upon it ! " About 
Ship ho ! " was the universal cry : — but as the Bells of St. 
Brides' Church are just finishing their Chimes, I must defer 
the conclusion of this matter till a more convenient season. 
Adieu. 



London, Sunday Evening. 

I left our Fleet enveloped in a fog, and getting out to 
sea as fast as possible. Due West was our course all that 
day. Whenever we were within hail of any of our com- 



58 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

panions in distress, we asked their opinion concerning the 
land we had made: but how various were their conjectures. 
Some of them thought it Ushant, others Guernsey, the ma- 
jority of the Masters in the Fleet concluded it to be one of 
the Islands of Scilly, which was the case as we afterwards 
found. Our want of Opportunities to make our Observa- 
tions occasioned tin's uncertainty. We beat about, day and 
night, at the Chops of the Channel until the 25th at noon, 
when we, once more, saw r the cheerful light of the sun. The 
quadrants were all in readiness and we blessed the memory 
of the Inventors of those valuable Instruments. We again 
saw Scilly and then bore away for the Channel. 

During the tedious period of eight foggy days, what 
were my reflections ! They almost bordered on impiety. 
Oftentimes did I think myself tantalized, by being permitted 
to accomplish that wish, which I had, for so many years in- 
dulged, namely of coming to England : but that the door was 
now shut against me! No wonder, said I, to the Captain 
one day, that I was in my despondency, " that English peo- 
ple begin to hang and drown themselves in the gloomy month 
of November " One day more and I should have been 
tempted to jump out of the cabin window. 

A dreadful storm was brooding, and our Commodore 
knowing that the ' Leviathan ' could stand no more bad 
weather, crowded sail, and hasted for Plymouth, leaving us, 
with six other sail, to the care of Providence — five of these 
were wrecked that night and the following day! 

In the afternoon we saw the lofty Coast of Cornwall, 
happy sight to us, poor fugitives and Exiles. We soon made 
the two Lights of the Lizard, and before bed time passed the 
Eddy Stone and other Lights. On the 26th the wind rose 
higher. The Iron bound Coast of England, our Lee shore; 
and with all our skill could not keep three miles to wind- 
ward of it : but I came upon deck. My heart leaped when 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 59 

I saw a little Fishing Town near Dongenness. Here were a 
great number of Dutch Ships riding. The Avarice of these 
people make them thus expose their Lives and Property, and 
they will not go into a safer Port, for the expense of paying 
the Lights, which they must necessarily pass. We saw sev- 
eral Dutch Wrecks lying near this place, which were as safe 
as their neighbours but a week before. 

We drove up the Channel at an amazing rate under close 
reefed courses. My uncle wished to have landed at Ports- 
mouth, but it was impossible to accomplish it. Whilst on 
deck I saw the Race of Portland. The prospect we had of 
soon being in the Downs cheering our drooping spirits, for 
the Dead Lights were generally in and our candles used to 
appear like the faint glimmering of sparks in a cavern, as 
I came from above. 

As I had not had a sound sleep for many nights ; about 
12 o'clock I resigned my wearied mind and body to calm 
repose. Happy me ! Little did I know our danger ! At one 
o'clock the Captain and all hands were called to turn out : 
None were able to steer the Ship but Bernard, and he was 
lashed to the Tiller, otherwise he would have been washed 
overboard, as the Waves were continually breaking over the 
Quarter. A thick fog arose to " cheer the hopes " or rather 
to depress the spirits of the desponding Mariners. / did not 
awake until nine o'clock next morning, and asked, as usual, 
for my breakfast, which was generally brought to my bed- 
side. A sullen silence prevailed in the Cabin. At length 
Mrs Weir answered me from her State room that " as I 
never had been afraid before, it was now high time " Charles 
awakened upon this, and asked me " why I had not called 
" him before to get his breakfast " so true is the observation 
that ' those who know no danger, fear none ' A dreadful 
noise above, occasioned by the hauling of ropes with the at- 
tendant Chaunt; the whistling of the Wind, the dashing of 



60 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

the waves against the sides of the Ship, all convinced me 
that every thing was not as it should be; and the only as- 
sistance which I could give, must be negatively, viz : to ly 
still and say nothing ! No sooner had I formed this reso- 
lution, that I heard the Captain call out, " Try the Pumps " 
O! thought I, 'tis all over now, as I had never heard any 
Pumping during the voyage before. I comforted myself 
with this reflection, that I could never die with more in- 
difference to the world than at that time, or even now. 



August 20th 1779. 

In about two hours every thing underwent a total trans- 
formation. The Wind changed, which cleared away the fog 
and discovered Beachy Head, only one league to leeward! 
Happily for us, we did not know we were so near the shore. 
Had the Storm or Fog continued half an hour longer, we 
should have been wrecked on this dreadful Rock! We soon 
found the way to the Deck, and we were glad to find our 
Caboose was not carried away by the Seas we had shipped. 
Fifty-six hours had elapsed since a fire had been lighted, and 
a dish of Lob-scouse, made of stale meat and fowl, with 
some sliced potatoes, required no sauce but hunger to make 
it relish. 

Miss Thorney recurred to my thoughts, I expressed my 
happiness and satisfaction that she did not share our dan- 
ger ; when the Captain told me that he had seen the ' Sally 
Cooper ' that morning under bare poles, that Vessel being 
too crank, to carry Sail in a gale of wind. 

We soon made Dover, and, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon 
of the 27th of November anchored in the Downs. 

We were all drest to go on shore, intending to be in 
London as soon as possible to save our Insurance, but the 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 



6l 



wind still continued too high for any of the Deal boats to 
come off to us. The next morning, by five o'clock there was 
one alongside. In stepping into it I had almost rested my 
bones on the Goodwin Sands! The sea was still high, the 
ship rolled, and had not Captain Bernard caught hold of me, 
I should have fallen into the Sea. This threw me into such 
a Tremor, as to make me confess I was really afraid. 

Tho' we were but a League from the shore, we were 
obliged to make a circuit of five miles; — the last three, we 
sailed close-in-shore. Upon the beach stands a Castle called 
Sundsdown — the Country retreat of some Naval Com- 
mander. 

The town of Deal looks tolerably well from the water. 
Some of the Houses are so near as to be washed by the surf. 

It is really curious to get on shore here. Every boat has 
its own landing place and the Boatmen never encroach on 
that of their neighbours, excepting in cases of great emer- 
gency. As soon as the Partners on shore espy the little 
Frigate, they get the Windlass and poles ready — not less 
than three men go in the Boat, as they are often driven by 
stress of weather on the coast of France, and go oftener, 
I believe to smuggle Brandy. They have with them a large 
rope which I mistook for a cable, this they throw upon the 
Beach. It is immediately caught up and put into the Wind- 
lass, and they turn it round so that we were actually wound 
ashore, in the same manner as an Anchor is heaved. In this 
business the people are obliged to be very expeditious, as the 
dashing of the surge is so great and the waves come so fast, 
that the boat is in imminent danger of being overwhelmed, 
but should the rope break! We got a sample. Our backs 
were well sprinkled with one wave breaking on the stern of 
the boat : but o ! how shall I describe what I felt, when I first 
set my foot on British ground? I could have kissed the 
gravel on the salt Beach ! It was my home : the Country 



62 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

which I had so long and so earnestly wished to see. The 
Isle of Liberty and Peace. 

So great was the concourse of Passengers from our Fleet 
at Deal, Dover and Margate, that not a Post-Chaise and 
Horses were to be hired for that day, we therefore took up 
our abode at the ' Three Kings ' a tolerably good Inn. 

I soon found that I had not lost the use of my Tongue. 
I was tired of a six week's silence. It is too much for any 
Woman. A Gentleman accosted us in the street, enquiring, 
if Captain Ferguson of the ' Burne ' were in the Fleet? As 
none of the Gentlemen of our Party knew Capt F but my 
Uncle, and he was gone on before with the Boatmen, I had 
the temerity to speak. I was shocked at the incivility of my 
Companions. I told him Captain Ferguson was removed to 
the ' Venus ' and would shortly come home. He made many 
apologies, but added that, he had a little Son under the Cap- 
tain's care, whom he anxiously expected. Indeed the pleas- 
ure I felt in giving this information was equal to his that 
received it. Captain Ferguson is Uncle to the brave Lieu- 
tenant Lock, and had educated him in the Sea Service. 

We soon ordered breakfast, as our sail in the Downs had 
given us an appetite. Our Encomiums on our fare were 
" Bless me " says Mrs Weir, " How soft and white the bread 
is " another " How good the Water " " How rich the Milk " 
The butter was excellent and the Tea superfine! The Inn 
Keeper himself attended us, but, methought he looked as if 
he guessed we had not breakfasted for a week before. 

The Gentlemen walked out to view the Fleets in the 
Downs of which there were many, waiting for Convoy. I 
was glad to rest a little in the dining room and compose 
myself, but I did not get the motion of the Ship out of my 
head for a week. I had the privilege of ordering Dinner. 
Mutton is the only meat which I give the preference to, nor 
did I know I liked that until Coneress issued their Mandate 



FROM CIIARLESTOWN TO LONDON 63 

to their subjects, to " kill sparingly ". I had long wished to 
taste fresh Herrings, of which this place affords a great 
plenty. My catering met the approbation of the Company. 
We neither needed provocative or invocative, hunger was 
the sauce. 

After dinner we walked out " to see the Place ". It has 
three pretty good streets in it, but not calculated for Car- 
riages, as two cannot pass. There is not a Horse Cart in 
the town, nor any other Carriages but Post-Chaises, for 
Travellers. 

The King's Store Houses, which are here called " The 
Buildings " make a good appearance on the Beach. Iiere 
were lying a great number of Anchors, ready for the Navy, 
should any ships be driven from their moorings. Do not 
criticise my English. I believe they can only moor in a 
river? Anchorage is better. This is an arm of the sea. 
You must confess that I am a tolerable Sailor in Petticoats. 

We then went to view Deal Castle. The strength of 
this Fortress surprised me, it conveyed a very good idea of 
the times in which it was built, but, they did not know in 
those days the virtues of the Carolina Palmetto ! The Gov- 
ernor of this Castle is the Marquiss of Caermarthen. There 
are Apartments fitted up, in a convenient and elegant man- 
ner for the reception of the Governor and his Lady. So 
glad was I to be removed from " Wars Alarms " that I en- 
vied them this bleak retreat : but, what is Grandeur without 
Honour and Virtue? You know the fate of this unfortunate 
pair? He was attached to a beautiful young Lady — the 
Daughter, and Heiress of Lord Holderness falls in love with 
him. His friends persuade him; he consents and marries 
her? Soon tired of possession, she seeks another Lover in 
Mr Byron. The Marquiss having too nice a sense of hon- 
our, winks at his Wife's indiscretion, until the World calls 
out. He is forced to be convinced and faints upon the dis- 



64 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

covery. A suit is commenced in Doctors' Commons. An 
Act of Parliament for a Divorce follows. Whilst the Bill 
is pending his Mistress dies. She sends him a Legacy. The 
ring which he gave her as a token of his fidelity! Is not 
this an excellent Fable for a play? But the present age can 
testify its truth! Alas! Alas! That the example of the 
Virtuous Pair on the Throne cannot influence the Nobility. 
Let me creep along the humble vale, so it be in innocence 
and peace. My eyes, my fingers, bid you Adieu. They all 
give out. 

London, August 26th 1779. 

Are you not impatient to set me down in London, after 
so tedious a voyage? Indeed, I was a little fatigued but, 
with the rest and refreshments which Deal afforded us, we 
got spirits enough to think of a journey. Before I take leave 
of this place I must observe the very great cheapness of pro- 
visions, and the moderate charges at the " Three Kings ". 
My Uncle's share and mine of the Bill, including Charles, 
did not amount to five shillings. Breakfast, Luncheon of 
Bread Cheese and Ale, Dinner and Tea. Fees to the Waiter 
and Chamber Maid were also divided and included. Firing 
was also charged. As the Shops were filled with China, I 
could not resist the temptation of purchasing some, being 
extravagantly cheap ! 

About 6 o'clock in the evening we procured a Post- 
Chaise, and set out for Canterbury, leaving our fellow pas- 
sengers to wait till fortune should favour them. There is 
no Turnpike on the road from Deal to Canterbury, which 
made our ride seem as if it were on American Ground. Not- 
withstanding it was the latter end of November, and no 
Moon-light, my curiosity was so great, that I persuaded my 
Uncle to keep the Glasses of our Carriage down ! but I 
laughed at the cold weather of this Country, at least what 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 65 

I have seen of it, it is not near so cold as in Carolina. I was 
pleased at going through a large tract of ploughed land, 
where the wheat had been set. You know we have not much 
of that kind of earth in our swampy country. I then turned 
my eyes to the Starry Heavens ! I espied the Constellation 
of the Plough which you first pointed out to me at the N. W. 
door of my uncle Dr Well's Hermitage, at John's Island. I 
soon observed the difference of the elevation of the Polar 
Star in these high Latitudes. A train of thoughts rushed 
into my mind composed of hopes and fears, joy and regret ! 
but I refer you to my letters of August 23rd by the 
" Thynne " Packet. 

We passed nothing deserving notice but some neat Farm 
Houses, and a man, hanging in a Gibbet. Stopped at a vil- 
lage called Wingham, and the Passengers availed themselves 
of the honest civility of the Country Host by quaffing a pint 
of Kentish Ale out of a neat Silver Mug, whilst their horses 
were baiting. You see nothing escaped my observation, al- 
though I travelled in the night. What may you expect when 
' Phoebus lends his cheering rays " ? Would Apollo but lend 
his Lyre? — or — you your Pen, for this is worn to the stump 
and I have no knife to mend it. There would be no ascend- 
ing the Hills in this neighbourhood if the " industrious hand 
of Man " as Mason says, had not " with Spade and Pick 
Axe " made paths through them. Chalk is easily worked. 
Stumpy will not write another word : put on your spectacles 
when you read this. Farewell ! 



London, August 28th 1779. 

We entered Canterbury about ten o'clock through a huge 
Gate which seemed to be older and stronger than Magna 
Charter. 

The Suburbs, and most part of this eminent City seem 



66 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

to have a very Monastic Appearance. Time would not per- 
mit us to visit the Cathedral, nor the Shrine of that ' blessed 
Saint ' Thomas-a-Becket. 

We drove to the King's Head Inn. We were shewn into 
a neat parlour, and the Landlady with a couple of Waiters, 
attended for orders. These civilities are always shewn to 
Post Chaises, let the Passengers be what they may. The 
difference from Deal, in regard to the Bills was great. A 
plate of Steaks, with Pickles, Bread and Cheese &c, was 
4/8. Lodging 2/7 which we afterwards found was an im- 
position, as we took Post Horses from that House to the 
next Stage. My apartment had more the appearance of one 
fitted up for a Lady of Quality than for a poor American 
Refugee, however, this is the road from London to Paris, — 
but all Travellers make these observations on English Inns. 
When compared to those of other countries, they are Palaces. 

At five o'clock in the morning, Novr., 29th, we were 
awakened by the sound of the bugle horn, belonging to a 
party of the Scots-Grays, which were quartered in Canter- 
bury. It was time to be travelling — got up and dressed. 
Our Chaise was ready and we rode Post. About a mile 
from the city was a small neat hut, with a handsome lamp 
at the door, and a White Gate across the King's high road. 
I was just going to desire the Postilion to dismount and open 
it, when a gruff' looking fellow clapt his mouth to my side of 
the chaise, and cried " Sixpence your Honour ". This was 
the first Turnpike I had ever seen and is called ' Canterbury 
Gate '. I now began to observe the great length of the twi- 
light in these Latitudes; it was but six o'clock and we could 
clearly discern the face of the Country. It yields great 
plenty of Hops, if I might judge from the number of poles 
which were tied up in the fields. They are not unlike the 
tents which are in Encampments, for keeping the soldiers' 
arms in. 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 67 

We passed through several villages, the names of which 
I did not know, as my Uncle forgot to take his book of the 
Post roads out of his Portmanteau. Now and then we lost 
a little of the Prospects, as we could not always keep down 
the Glasses, occasioned by several showers of ' English ' 
rain, which overtook us. I was not a little surprised to see 
so many large plantations of Trees, of various kinds, for 
Timber, which abound in Kent. I thought myself in Amer- 
ica. The chalk Hills continue many miles from the Sea, and 
chalk is used here for Manure. 

At nine o'clock we arrived at Sittingborn, seventeen 
miles from Canterbury. Here we got a comfortable Break- 
fast. The cleanliness and neatness of these Inns always struck 
me, and the readiness with which the Traveller is accommo- 
dated : in half an hour we were again in our Chaise. Our new 
Driver seemed w-illing to convince us that he perfectly un- 
derstood what a hurry we were in, so that he made the horses 
fly through the town at such a rate, that I could only observe, 
as we came out, a small Gothic Church on the right hand and 
a one Bell Tavern on the left — very properly placed thought 
I — Here is both the broad and narrow, Gates! — but my 
Uncle and I took Solomon's advice and turned to neither, 
but looked straight forward to London. 

Nothing remarkable happened on this Stage, excepting 
meeting several Country people going to Divine Service. I 
was glad to see it, as it gave me the satisfaction to think that 
I was once more in a Country where we could pray for our 
Sovereign without endangering our Necks. 

Faversham stands on the right hand, a few miles from 
Rochester, on the side of a hill. At 12 o'clock we ascended 
the eminence which commands a view of Rochester, Chat- 
ham and Stroud, the River Medway and the most delightful 
Country I ever beheld ! 

As we wanted no refreshment at Rochester we were soon 



68 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

equipped with " a Chaise and Pair ". These words fly from 
the Host to the Waiter and from the Waiter to the Ostler, 
and in the twinkling of an Eye, the Postilion is on one of the 
Horses. You need only be as quick in paying your shilling 
a mile. We did not then know that 9d was the proper 
charge. Lord North's late Tax of two pence has only made 
them charge a shilling now. 

We passed along not over, a neat Stone bridge which is 
thrown across the muddy stream of Medway. I was sur- 
prised at the foulness of this famed River, but found that it 
is owing to the rich clay soil of the banks which it laves, 
and the rains. Chatham Dock and Barracks are seen from 
hence, indeed, the three towns join; Stroud and Chatham on 
each side and Rochester in the middle. Some Regiments of 
the Militia were quartered. I saw some of the Officers walk- 
ing in the Exchange, over which is the Town Hall. Our Inn 
was opposite. There is a great discent from this place, going 
down which, we commanded one of the finest prospects, ac- 
knowledged by judges in England. If the Almanack had 
not told me it was November, I should have declared it to be 
April or May : a much finer verdure appeared than those 
months afford in any part of the Continent of America. I 
do not remember any circumstance worthy of record, but, 
meeting several Post-Chaises on the road with the Glasses 
np, and the people in them muffled as if the whole Island of 
Great Britain was covered with frost and snow. 

As we approached Dartford, my Uncle bid me prepare 
to have my Trunks seized on account of my smuggled china. 
The Inn at Dartford was called the " Rose ", and was larger 
and more commodious than any we had stopped at, but we 
got a pair of jaded Horses from it, which dragged us seven- 
teen Miles. As we ascended Gadshill I recollected Falstafr", 
Prince Hal, Poins &c. It was their rendez-vous. There is 
a grove of fine Trees on the top, or rather a Wood. Then 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 69 

we approached Shooter's Hill and next Black Heath; as 
famous for robberies in modern times as in ancient days. 
We had a few guineas ready for those unlicensed Tax-gath- 
erers. Here is a great house of Entertainment, at which 
hangs the sign of a * green ' Man, where many Citizens go 
out and spend this day i.e. Sunday. My Father belongs to 
a club which often meets there. From Shooter's Hill I had 
a fine view of the rich, the noble river Thames ! How justly 
loved by the Poet as adored by the Merchant. We passed 
through Greenwich and Deptford. The crowds of the City 
began to shew themselves. We passed over London Bridge 
and were set down at the Spread Eagle, in Grace Church 
Street. From thence we took a Coach and drove through 
Cornhill, the Poultry, round St. Paul's Church, down Lud- 
gate and Fleet Street, into Salisbury Court, No. 47, where 
my Father has lived ever since my Mother arrived. 

As we passed the Churches, the Congregations were just 
dispersing. The people poured out like Bees out of hives. 
I will not fatigue you or myself with anything more at 
present. I must dedicate another day to correct these sheets, 
and, should they prove amusing to you, I shall desire no 
greater reward. May Heaven guard and protect you and 
grant you success in all your endeavours and undertakings. 

My Father did not insure my Indigo. Unfortunately for 
my Uncle, we did not arrive in London on the Saturday. 
At nine o'clock in the evening his Policy was made out and 
he has since paid the Underwriters Three hundred pounds. 

Farewell, 

L. S. Wells 

PS- September 3d 1779 

Ever since I wrote the above I have been confined to 
my bed with a Fever. The Sun has set and I have just 
risen to make up this packet. This will be a sufficient excuse 



70 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

for my sending it in such an incorrect state. Mrs McKenzie 
sets out to-morrow morning for Bristol and does (not?) 
return again to Town. If you will not take the trouble to 
revise and correct the sheets, pray commit them to the flames 
as soon as they have been read. X send the picture, which 
was done by Bembridge, but it id not worth setting. 

The physicians attend me and I am ordered to Bath and 
Bristol. I would rather a voyage to the West Indies. Adieu. 

L. S. W. 



Flushing Novr. 22nd. 1794 

My dear Son : 

What pleasure I feel when I read in your uncles Let- 
ters of the rapid progress you are making in your Educa- 
tion, is easier to be imagined than described. I am sure 
you will also improve in Virtue considering the worthy 
examples you have before you. I sincerely hoped that e'er 
now I should have embraced my dear child, but, though man 
may appoint, 'tis God who disappoints, and, hitherto I have 
met no disappointment but what has ultimately turned out 
to the advantage of me or mine, the welfare of my family is 
more to me than my own convenience and pleasure. Had I 
proceeded in the Roselle some of us must have perished. 
Had I rashly proceeded alone in my projected journey to 
Edinburgh, I must have gone the same ground over again 
with your Father, who will most assuredly land at Falmouth 
about the end of March : — at least in all human probability. 
Your little unknown Sister May is really a fine child, but 
her Nurse was yesterday very sick with a pain in her side, 
and Dr. Fox says that if I travel at this season. I may risk 
both of their Lives. I am therefore compelled to remain in 
this little country village in the West of England where it 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON JI 

rains nine months in the year — but it is the same at Bristol. 
Glasgow, and all the Western Coast of this Island. 

I flatter myself that my Sister sent your Uncle John a 
copy of a Letter of mine to your Uncle William Charles 
\\ ells in London. I therein stated my reasons for educating 
my Daughters at least 100 miles from the Capital. You will 
see soon perhaps all of your Sisters — but rest contented till 
your affectionate Father and Mother visit your Auld Reeky, 
and then we shall plan every thing for the best ; besides which 
we shall be aided and assisted by the good counsel of your 
Uncles and Aunts. Tell them how much I respect and es- 
teem them — and I sincerely hope that every unfavourable 
impression they may entertain of us. may be removed, and 
I hope your dutiful Carriage and Behaviour, will help to 
bring about this desirable end. I have an elegant India 
Chintz pattern for your Aunt Henderson, but I dare not risk 
it by any other conveyance than my own Baggage — it is a 
present from your Pappa to her. Mary & Nancy are in good 
Health and desire their Love to you — and say they are quite 
happy at School — They required a much stricter Governess 
than any of my Sisters could have been, especially Mary — 
They are a little broke in now, but they were as wild as 
young Fillies. 

There is a Lady now in Edinburgh, the Widow of the 
late Hon. Frederick Maitland Esqr. of the ' Queen ' of 90 
Guns — to her I owe much — I did myself the honour of writ- 
ing to her from Cork in 1781. thanking her for her unmer- 
ited and unsolicited Hospitality shewn to Miss Sutherland, 
Miss Hilton and myself, then Miss Wells, at her House in 
Gosport. 

I left her youngest son Frederick in a White Frock en- 
deavouring to wield his Father's sword. I had the pleasure 
of drinking tea with him lately at the house of my Friend 
Airs Wauchope dressed in his Uniform and gracefully orna- 



72 THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

merited with his own Hanger. I was truely happy to hear 
of the happy settlement of so many of Mrs Maitland's chil- 
dren, and" that Mr Bell, their late Tutor had taken Orders 
and got a church. I invited young Frederick to come and 
see me in Jamaica — Should you see my worthy Friend tell 
her these particulars — If your Uncle thinks proper, call on 
her : the countenance of such a character will do you 
Honour — 

Write me once a Week — Direct to Mrs Aikman, Post 
office, — Falmouth. Farewell my dear Boy. 

Louisa S. Aikman. 
To Master Alexander Aikman 

Care of Mr John Aikman 
of Jamaica 

Post Office 

Edinburgh 



APPENDIX 



NOTES TO THE FOREGOING JOURNAL 

By Authoress of Same 

A preparation for trials and afflictions in old age fulfill- 
ing the words of the prophet " Jeremiah " — " It is good to 
bear the yoke in Youth." 

The account of the fatal premature interment of Mr 
George Woodrop (see page 54) made so deep an impres- 
sion on my mind that I never forsook the apparently dying 
or dead until interment. When I left Jamaica in 1801, I 
reckoned eighteen Individuals who would have been sent to 
an untimely grave, but for my prompt exertions and un- 
wearied care. One in particular James Haughton, a youth 
fourteen years old, in the year 1785. Animation was sus- 
pended from seven o'clock in the morning until twelve 
o'clock at Noon. It was occasioned by a constant bleeding 
at the Nose. Two medical gentlemen were in attendance, 
who pronounced him dead. His Mother came and looked 
on him, as the Priest and Levite did on the Traveller in the 
gospel. " I leave him in good hands." She returned in time 
to dress for his funeral! I persevered, with the assistance 
of Slaves in using the means recommended by the Humane 
Society, and when this unnatural Parent returned, curled 

and powdered, with a and a crow-coloured Silk gown 

and Coat on, her Son was sitting up eating Sago from my 
hands. The Doctors also returned, and with such a triumph 
as I never felt before, I said " Gentlemen, he is worth more 
than two dead men." In 1816, J. H. was living, had been 
married twice and had several children. Fifteen years he 
recollected that I had saved his life. The person to whom 

75 



70 APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

he said it observed he had taken a long time to find it out. 
In a fortnight after his recovery, he passed me on my own 
premises, without lifting his hat. Who would look for an 
earthly reward after the ingratitude of the nine Lepers who 
were cleansed by Him who went about doing good and left 
us an example that we might follow. 
1827. L. S. A. 

"S. R. ." page 55 Journal. 

In the year 1791 when my Mother was in Charlestown 
Mrs S. was at the top of Fashion, and vied with the British 
Consul's Lady in the elegance of her Equipage and expen- 
siveness of her Routes and Entertainments. I need not add 
that there were found plenty of people to admire and fre- 
quent them. 



John Mills, Sexton, (page 54 Journal.) 

Mr John Mills is now a Professor of Musick in London, 
and was many years a teacher in the Town of Marlborough. 
He has a Wife and two Daughters. Mills put me in mind 
of his forbidding the lids of the Coffins to be screwed at the 
Funerals he had attended from our House. The Catastro- 
phe of Mr Woodrop had made such a deep impression on 
him, as to make him determine never to inter a corpse till he 
thought the person dead. He had dispersed Company sev- 
eral times. 

Let my Son and Daughter read, mark and understand. 

Louisa Susannah Aikman. 
Chelsea April 9th 1802. 

The following poetical letter is that which is alluded to 
on page 44 Journal : 

To Mrs Robert Wells, at Dr John Wells' John's Island, 
South Carolina. 



FROM CHARLESTOVVN TO LONDON 77 

To Crowds, to Dims, to Business confined, 
The Body healthy, but perplex'd the Mind, 
A single Minute scarcely in my power 
To write, how shall I find then half an hour? 

To you sequestred in the Marshy Shade 
Agues and Fevers lurking in each Glade; 
No Hills nor Dales the view diversify, 
But one dead Flat fatigues the languid Eye. 
The Nightingale, or sweetly warbling Thrush 
Ne'er charm the Ear nor aid the Lover's wish ; 
No limpid Brook nor gently purling Streams 
To lull the Nymph to rest and pleasing Dreams ; 
No velvet Fog — no gay enamell'd Green — 
With living Daisies, to adorn the Scene; 
No gurgling Fountains laughing Naiads trim ; 

Here Afric's squalid Sons and Daughters grim ! 
Rank Vegetation there, deep Mire and Mud 
While yonder creeps the torpid, dingey flood, 
Here the green Lake, Parent of fell Disease, 
Are these the objects then that Mary please? 

Your Will is mine, the sooner here the better 
To all, good wishes — and so ends my Letter. 

(Signed) Robert Wells. 

Charlestown April 15th 1773. 



My Father and Mother were both born in Scotland, in 
the year 1728 and married in 1750. 



The note on Page 3 Journal is wrong — by the following 
Extract from Kelly's Universal Geography, it will appear 
my first statement was right. It ought to be so, as I received 



78 APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

my information from my father — but when in Charlestown 
in 1807 my account was corrected by others. 

" In 1695 a Scotch Company, having obtained from the 
" English Government permission to trade to Africa and the 
" East and West Indies, planted a Colony on the Isthmus of 
" Darien, near the north west point of the Gulf. Here a 
" fortress was erected called New Edinburgh, and the 
" surrounding district was called Caledonia. The Indian 
" princes were pleased at this, as they thought by the help of 
"the Scotch, to. expel the Spaniards. For some time the 
" Colony flourished, but at last the Company was ruined by 
" the jealousy of the East India Company and the remon- 
" strances of the Court of Madrid." 

L. S. Aikman. 

West Cowes, Isle of Wight. May 23rd 181 7. 



Determined by my Father's Attornies that I should come 
to England. I had now fulfilled my promise of " abiding 
by his Property as long as " one stone stood upon another." 
All was a heap of ruins — all burnt, excepting a large House 
at the other end of the Town, which, with our lots and 
Lands is since confiscated. The wreck saved out of the Fire, 
was sold and with the money, twenty two Casks of Indigo 
were purchased, which we hoped would realize £5000, Ster- 
ling in London. I was six months in disposing of the prop- 
erty, Slaves &c. — when to my astonishment, confusion and 
dismay. I was served with a Mandate, forbidding my taking 
it out of the Country. It was well known that it was in- 
tended to liquidate my Father's British debts; and by a 
Resolution of their Assembly in 1775, none such were to be 
paid. Mr Lowndes was our Friend, and sent us early notice 
of our danger, for had it been afloat, which many in the 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 79 

Council thought, it had all been forfeited. The Carts had 
been bespoke to take it on board next morning and it was 
at Midnight we received our intelligence. What was I to 
do in this dilemma? I could not go to a foreign country 
without Specie, or what would procure it for me. I was 
permitted to take three Casks. The size was not limited, we 
therefore turned out the contents of five into three rum- 
puncheons : but what a pittance was this to bring of our once 
ample fortune ! Alas ! how poorly has our Loyalty been re- 
warded! A pension of Sixty pounds was offered; but our 
friend James McPherson Esquire refused it, saying, it was 
not equal to what my Father used to give a Clerk in Amer- 
ica. With difficulty we obtained a hundred and after my 
sister's arrival fifty more was added but nothing else of a 
pecuniary nature was ever bestowed on our Family. Lord 
North once asked my Father how his Nervous Daughter did, 
as all our Letters used to be opened and read at White Hall, 
which operated so forcibly I was often afraid to write. The 
Journal which accompanies this although addressed to a 
well-known friend of yours and mine you have my permis- 
sion to read. 

I now conclude this long and tedious detail with the hope 
of being able one day hence to talk over, not at your Fire- 
side, but in the Torrid Zone, all these disasters, with a pleas- 
ure which none can know but those who have served their 
time in the School of Affliction ! I now know that Adver- 
sity is the Parent of many virtues. 

Farewell. 

L. S. Wells. 



Note. — As my Father succeeded in business as a Mer- 
chant,* the Pension was reduced to Sixty pounds per 
annum ; thro' the Speculations of some Correspondents in 
Georgia and the injustice of others in the West Indies he 



80 APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

was under the necessity of delivering up his effects to his 
Creditors. He gave all, and I believe the debts are now en- 
tirely liquidated ; but alas this second stroke was too much ! 
A paralytic affection deprived him of his Mental Faculties 
at the age of Sixty three, and three years after he died in 
1794, leaving his Widow and two daughters totally unpro- 
vided for — nor could the application of General James 
Grant, Sir John McPherson or James McPherson Esquire, 
obtain the smallest relief from Government. 
Febry 23rd 1802. 

L. S. A. 
* Mr R. Wells who had resided in this country from the 
beginning of the American War, had during it, been so suc- 
cessful in business as to realize about £20,000 — but from 
giving too great credit his circumstances became embar- 
rassed about this time (1785.) Ex. from Dr Lister's 
Memoir of W. C. Wells, Gentleman's Magazine Nov. 181 7. 

The foregoing statement of monies received from Govern- 
ment is erroneous. My Mother gave me the following par- 
ticulars a few days ago, viz. 

1 st Year (1775) £ 60 
2nd. " (1776) £100 
3rd " (1778) £150 
4th " (1779) £150 
Compensation for Confiscated property received from 
Government. £1200 

When my Father failed the Creditors allowed £170 for 
the support of the Family and Government added £30 per 
annum for two years only till the death of my Father, in 
Lieu of a Salary enjoyed by him, in America, as Marshall of 
the Vice Court of Admiralty in Charlestown. 

L. S. Aikman. 
Chelsea, August 13th 1802. 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 8l 

NOTES referring to Family of Authoress of foregoing 
Journal, by W. G. Aikman. 



On Sunday 13th April 1902 attended Morning Service 
at St. Brides' Fleet Street London. After service looked for 
and found the Monument referred to on page 83. Searched 
the Church Register and made the following extracts. 

1794 

July 16 Robert Wells, Salisbury Square. 

Late from America. Aged 66 

Buried in Hearne's Vault. 
1805 

June 25 Mary Wells. Decline. Camberwell 

Aged j j 

Buried in Lady Jersey's Vault 

18 1 7 William Charles Wells. Aged 60 

Serjeants Inn. September 25. 

Buried by W. Jenour. 



Extract from the Obituary of the Gentleman's Magazine 
of July 1794. 

At his house in Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, aged 66 
Mr Robert Wells, Merchant, formerly a printer of consid- 
erable eminence at Charlestown, South Carolina, but had re- 
tired thence into this Country, as a Loyalist, on the estab- 
lishment of the new Government there. Mr W. was a man 
of letters, and a poet, evinced by a travestie of Virgil*, which 
he wrote and published whilst at Charlestown. He has left 
a Son, a Physician, deservedly rising into eminence in Lon- 
don; and two (three) Daughters. 
West Cowes 1816. 

L. S. Aikman. 

* I think this was written by Roland Bagly, Ala. 

L. S. A. 



82 APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

Extract from the Obituary Gentleman's Magazine for 
May 1804. 



13th May. At his house in Brompton-Grove in his 89th 
year John Savage Esquire. He was a native of Bermuda, 
and was bred a Seaman but while still young settled as a 
Merchant in Charlestown, South Carolina, where after many 
years of great industry, he acquired a considerable fortune. 
In 1775 from a desire to avoid witnessing the political strug- 
gle which was then beginning in North America, he came 
to this Country, in which he ever after resided. He was a 
man of strong and sound sense, exemplary piety, primitive 
simplicity of manners great temperance and unvarying 
cheerfulness, of the most rigid integrity and unbounded 
benevolence and charity. To his suggestion was owing the 
restriction which is imposed on the British Slave Ships, with 
respect to the number of Negroes they carry from Africa. 
Notwithstanding his great age, his memory and other men- 
tal faculties were entire, and till within a few days of his 
death, he was capable of taking considerable bodily exercise. 
Had it not indeed been for an acute disease to which the 
Young are as liable as the old, what is termed by Surgeons 
" an incarcerated hernia " it is probable that his life would 
have been considerably prolonged. 



The foregoing character of Mr Savage was written by 
the late Dr William Charles Wells F.R.S. and of the Socie- 
ties of London and Edinburgh and one of the Physicians of 
St. Thomas Hospital. 

West Cowes 181 6. 

L. S. A. 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 83 

NEAR THIS PLACE ARE DEPOSITED 
THE REMAINS OF 

ROBERT WELLS, 

WHO WAS BORN AUGUST IOTH 1 728, 

AND WHO DIED JULY I2TH I794; 

AND OF 

MARY HIS WIFE, WHO WAS BORN DECEMBER 27TH 1 728, 

AND WHO DIED JUNE 2IST 1805; 

NATIVES OF SCOTLAND, 

FOR MANY YEARS RESIDENTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA, 

AND WHO CLOSED THEIR LIVES IN THIS CITY, 

BELOVED AND REVERED BY THEIR CHILDREN 

FOR THEIR DOMESTIC VIRTUES; 

AND ALSO OF THEIR SON, 

WILLIAM CHARLES WELLS, m.d. f.r.s. l.&e. 

WHO WAS BORN MAY 24TH 1 757, 

AND WHO DIED SEPTEMBER l8TH 1817; 

A SKILFUL AND LEARNED PHYSICIAN, 

AN INVENTIVE PHILOSOPHER, 

A MAN OF SINGULAR WORTH AND HONOUR : 

HE EXTENDED THE BOUNDARIES OF NATURAL SCIENCE; 

AND EXHIBITED IN HIS CONDUCT, 

AN UNION OF GENEROSITY WITH FRUGALITY, 

OF HIGH-MINDEDNESS WITH PRUDENCE, 

AND A STRICT AND SCRUPULOUS INTEGRITY, 

ABOVE THE REACH OF SUSPICION AS WELL AS OF REPROACH. 

LOUISA SUSANNAH AIKMAN 

CAUSED THIS TABLET TO BE ERECTED, 

AS A TRIBUTE 

OF DUTY TO HER PARENTS WHOM SHE HIGHLY HONOURED, 

AND OF AFFECTION TO HER BROTHER 

WHOM SHE TENDERLY LOVED. 



84 APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

This Tablet is erected in the Parish Church of St. 
Bride, Fleet Street, London, under the superintendence of 
J. B. Nichols Esquire, Editor of the Gentleman's Maga- 
zine, and is inserted in the Number for June Vol. 91st and 
14th New Series. The Epitaph or Inscription Dr Lister of 
Lincoln's Inn fields did me the honour to write, dictated by 
a friendship for my Brother of thirty years standing. 
' William! best of Sons, best of Brothers, farewell." 

The following Extract from the Obituary of the Gentle- 
man's Magazine for October 18 17 was made by W. G. 
Aikman at Stirling's Library Glasgow, 23rd April 1902. . 



William Charles Wells, M.D., F.R.S.L. and E Licen- 
tiate of the Royal College of Physicians in London, and one 
of the Physicians to St. Thomas's Hospital, was born in 
Charlestown, South Carolina, in May 1757, and was the 
second son, but fourth child of Robert and Mary Wells, both 
natives of Scotland, who settled in Carolina in 1753. His 
father who had been originally a merchant and afterwards 
carried on the business of a bookseller and bookbinder, and 
printer of a newspaper, with considerable success, appears 
to have been possessed of more than common talents and 
attainments, and his mother to have been generous and high- 
minded: and both of them were the objects of his esteem 
and gratitude, and tender filial affection, as long as he lived. 
Before he was eleven years old he was sent to Scotland to a 
considerable grammar school at Dumfries then kept by a Mr 
George Chapman, where he remained nearly two years and a 
half; and at the expiration of that time had finished the usual 
course of studies pursued there. In the autumn of 1770 he 
went to Edinburgh, and attended several of the lower classes 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 85 

of the University. At this time he was first acquainted with 
Mr David Hume and Mr William Miller, now better known 
by the title of Lord Glenlee, who afterwards became two of 
his most intimate friends ; and to his intercourse with whom 
he was accustomed to attribute the most beneficial effects 
upon his character, and for whose good offices he entertained, 
in all circumstances, the most lively gratitude. He returned 
to Charlestown in South Carolina, in 1771 ; and soon after 
his return was placed as an apprentice with Dr Alexander 
Garden, at that time the chief practitioner of Physic there, 
and well known to Naturalists by his communications to 
the Royal Society. During three years of the time he was 
with him, he has said, that he studied so diligently, that, 
though quite unassisted, he acquired perhaps more knowl- 
edge than in any three subsequent years of his life. In 1775, 
soon after the commencement of the American war, he left 
Charlestown suddenly, and came to London. He had been 
called upon to sign a paper denominated " The Associa- 
tion ", the object of which was to unite the people in a re- 
sistance to the claims of the British Government. He was 
a conscientious and zealous friend to those claims, and could 
not therefore sign the paper without a violation of principle ; 
and this, neither the authority of his master nor the remon- 
strances of his friends, could induce him to commit. In the 
beginning of the winter of that year he went to Edinburgh, 
and commenced his medical studies, with the view of taking 
a degree. He was happy in the opportunity which this af- 
forded him of cultivating his friendship with Mr David 
Hume and Mr Miller, with whom he had kept up a corre- 
spondence while he was in Carolina, and of gaining a third 
most intimate and constant friend, the present Dr Robert- 
son Barclay. He studied there three winters, and passed 
his preparatory trials in the summer of 1778, but did not 
then graduate. In the autumn he returned to London, and 



86 APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

attended a course of Dr William Hunter's lectures, took in- 
structions in practical Anatomy, and became a surgeon's 
pupil at Bartholomew's Hospital. Early in 1779 he went 
to Holland as surgeon to a Scotch regiment in the service of 
the United Provinces. At first he passed his time agreea- 
bly ; but, having received ill treatment from his commanding 
officer, he, with that spirit and decision which characterised 
him through life, resigned his commission, and on the day 
on which he received his dismissal from the service chal- 
lenged the officer who had ill treated him, and who had now 
the meanness to attempt to punish him for military insubor- 
dination, after he had ceased to be subject to military au- 
thority ; but avoided exposing his own person to the danger 
which would have arisen from accepting the challenge. Im- 
mediately afterwards, in the beginning of the year 1780, he 
went to Leyden, where he was principally employed in pre- 
paring an Inaugural Thesis, which was published at Edin- 
burgh in the autumn of that year, when he took the degree 
of Doctor in Medicine; the subject of this Thesis was Cold. 
At this time the friendship between him and Dr Lister com- 
menced, which continued without interruption to his death. 
They had been introduced to one another by their common 
friend, the late Dr James Currie, the author of " Medical 
Reports " and the biographer and editor of Burns. In the 
beginning of 1781 he went to Carolina, which was then in 
the possession of the King's troops, in order to arrange the 
affairs of his family, and was there at the same time an 
officer in a corps of volunteers ; a printer, a bookseller, and a 
merchant, a trustee for some of his father's friends in Eng- 
land for the management of affairs of considerable impor- 
tance in Carolina; and on one occasion exercised at the 
instance of the Colonel Commandant of the militia, the office 
of Judge Advocate, in conducting a prosecution in a general 
court martial of militia officers. In this prosecution he sue- 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 87 

ceeded, though opposed by two of the principal lawyers in 
Charlestown, and maintained his composure and self-pos- 
session in spite of every effort to load him with reproach, 
and to intimidate him. It would not be easy to mention an 
instance of greater vigour and variety of talent than the ex- 
ercise, at the same time, of these numerous and different oc- 
cupations displays. In December 1782, it having become 
necessary for the King's troops to evacuate Charlestown, he 
went to St. Augustine in East Florida. He here edited a 
weekly newspaper, which was the first that had ever been 
published in that country. On this occasion a circumstance 
occurred, which exhibited in a striking manner the activity 
and perseverance of his mind. He had brought from 
Charlestown a printing press, which had been taken to 
pieces in order to be transported more readily, and a press- 
man. He had had no doubt that the pressman could easily 
put the pieces together, but was now told that -this was the 
business of a press- joiner, and that a pressman knew nothing 
about the matter. He found among some books he had 
brought with him one called a " Printer's Grammar ", con- 
taining rude cuts of a printer's press; and by studying this 
book diligently for several days, he succeeded with the help 
of a Negro carpenter, in putting the press into working 
order. He became captain of a corps of volunteers, and 
manager of a company of young officers who had agreed to 
act plays for the benefit of the poorest of the loyal refugees 
from Carolina and Georgia ; and occasionally an actor him- 
self. He had great success in Lusignan in Zara, and in 
old Norval in Douglas; but did not succeed in Castalio in 
the Orphan ; and failed, as might be expected by those who 
knew him in Comedy. In 1784 he left St. Augustine, and 
came to London and at that time became acquainted with 
Dr Baillie, which acquaintance ripened into a most intimate, 
steady, and affectionate friendship. In the spring of 1785 



88 APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

he spent three months at Paris, and in the autumn of that 
year fixed himself in London as a physician. His father, 
who had resided in this country from the beginning of the 
American war, had, during it, been so successful in busi- 
ness as to realize about £20,000; but, from giving too great 
credit, his circumstances became embarrassed about this 
time. In consequence of this Dr Wells, at his first outset 
as a physician in London, was obliged to borrow of one of 
his friends £130 and to make subsequent loans of other 
friends, until his debts amounted to £600. But these loans 
constituted the whole of his debts ; and he never suffered a 
tradesman who called for money to go away without it. He 
scarcely took a fee for the first few years of his being in 
London ; and he had been ten years in it before his receipts 
from every source amounted to £250 per annum. In the 
next five years he was enabled to pay off a part of his debt ; 
and he had the satisfaction, before his death, of having dis- 
charged his whole debt, interest as well as principal ; of hav- 
ing realized something that must be called a capital, though 
a very small one; and of being in the receipt of an income 
from his practice, which to a person of his moderate wants, 
and a bachelor, was abundant. It should be mentioned, that 
he never omitted to pay the income and property taxes with 
the most scrupulous exactness ; and that during a part of the 
time in which his income was very confined, he allowed an 
annuity of £20 to a relation in dependent circumstances. 

In 1788 he was admitted a Licentiate of the Royal Col- 
lege of Physicians in London, and was one of those Licen- 
tiates who in 1793 addressed a letter to the President and 
Fellows, claiming admission into the College, and founding 
their claim upon the charter by which the College was in- 
corporated. Soon after the decision upon this Claim in the 
Court of King's Bench, in the case of Dr Stanger, he ap- 
plied in 1797, to the College for admission to an examina- 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 89 

tion, in order that, if his fitness should be ascertained, he 
might be admitted a Fellow. This application was in strict 
conformity to a bye-law, by which from the stress which was 
laid upon it by Lord Kenyon and the other Judges and by 
Mr Erskine, the leading Counsel for the College in Dr 
Stangers case, it was believed that the College would be 
governed. He was not admitted to an examination. This 
gave occasion to his very able Letter to Lord Kenyon. 
About four years ago he received a message from the Presi- 
dent of the College, enquiring if he had any desire to become 
a Fellow, to which he answered that he had none. 

In 1790 he was appointed one of the Physicians to the 
Finsbury Dispensary, and remained so until 1798. In 1793 
he was admitted into the Royal Society of London. In 1798 
he was elected Assistant Physician to St. Thomas's Hos- 
pital ; and in 1800 became one of the Physicians. In this last 
year, 1800, he was seized with a slight fit of apoplexy. This 
determined him to adopt a most abstemious mode of living ; 
so that when he was at home, which was perhaps four or five 
days in the week, he lived upon milk and vegetable sub- 
stances, and took a very small quantity of these : he had no 
subsequent attack of apoplexy. From the time however, of 
his recovery from that ailment, his health was disordered in 
various ways, unconnected with his previous illness, and per- 
haps unconnected with one another. In 181 2 he com- 
menced some experiments, with a view of throwing light 
upon the nature of Dew, a subject which had long engaged 
his attention. A breathlessness and palpitation of the heart, 
and swelled feet, took place while he was employed in mak- 
ing these experiments ; so that for a time he was obliged to 
interrupt them. Immediately on this interruption he wrote 
out a short statement of the facts he had ascertained, and the 
opinions he had formed, respecting the production of dew, 
and deposited it with a friend, lest death should surprise him, 



90 APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

and the produce of his ingenuity and labour should be lost. 
He returned to his pursuit with eagerness, while his health 
was still precarious. When his enquiries were completed, 
he set about writing his Essay with anxious assiduity, doubt- 
ful of his living to finish it, and fancying, as he has ex- 
pressed it, that each page he wrote was so much gained from 
oblivion. The mind of every generous reader must sympa- 
thise with him in his anxiety while his work was going on, 
and in his satisfaction when it was completed ; though it 
should not be believed, that his name would have been in 
danger of being forgotten, if it had not had this additional 
claim to remembrance. His Essay upon Dew was published 
in August 1814, and in that year he was admitted into the 
Royal Society of Edinburgh. In 181 6 the President and 
Council of the Royal Society of London did him the honour 
of adjudging to him the gold and silver medals on Count 
Rumford's donation, for his Essay on Dew. It was impos- 
sible for him not to be highly gratified by this satisfactory 
testimony to the success of his anxious labours. From 1814 
to the commencement of his last illness, his health in some 
respects improved — he was more active, had more strength, 
and higher spirits ; but he remained extremely thin, and was 
constantly affected with an inability to lie upon the left side, 
and with swelled feet, and occasionally with palpitation of 
the heart, and breathlessness. In the beginning of the pres- 
ent year he observed that he frequently, as if by an invol- 
untary act, made a deep and sudden inspiration ; but no other 
symptom of disorder was observed by him until the begin- 
ning of June. He was then several times affected at night 
with violent pains in his right side while he was lying upon 
that side, which went off when he turned upon his back. On 
the 10th or 12th he had one of these attacks. On the 14th 
he went on a visit for a few days to a friend in the country, 
and was as cheerful, and apparently as well as usual. On 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 91 

the next day he had no disposition to walk, but exerted him- 
self remarkably to amuse a large company at dinner; in the 
evening he was languid and drowsy, went to bed earlier, and 
slept longer than he was accustomed to do. On the next day 
he returned to town. He at that time laboured under an in- 
flammatory affection of the chest, and it was feared that 
when this abated, an effusion of fluid into some part of the 
cavity of the chest might take place ; but it was believed that, 
though his recovery might be slow, and not complete, he 
would ultimately recover, and enjoy life on terms on which 
it would have been a blessing. This continued to be the 
opinion of his medical friends, Dr Baillie, and Dr Lister, 
till the 8th of August when he was suddenly seized while he 
was sitting up, with the sensation of a tremulous motion in 
the chest, which he referred to the heart, from which time 
his pulse intermitted. After this no expectation was enter- 
tained of his recovery. His life was continued until the 
evening of the 18th of September; and until very near its 
termination his mind was clear and active, and his spirits 
calm and cheerful. 

The following is a list of his writings in a chronological 
order; In 1780 and 1781 he published several small political 
things without his name. In the latter part of the year 1780 
he published an account of Mr Henry Laurens, some time 
President of the American Congress, in the form of a letter, 
under the signature of Marcus, to the printer of the Public 
Advertiser. 

In 1 78 1 he wrote a political paper of some importance, 
by the desire of the Commandant of the Garrison of Charles- 
town, the present Gen. Nesbitt Balfour, on the following oc- 
casion. Men of rank in the American service after having 
been taken prisoners and sent to their homes under their 
military paroles, used to make no scruple to appear again in 
arms against the British Government. The object of this 



92 APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

paper was to show, by an appeal to military usage, and the 
nature of the thing itself, that such conduct subjected them 
to the punishment of death. The Commandant directed the 
frequent publication of this paper in the public newspapers ; 
and it is probable that it was owing to this warning that 
Gen. Balfour and Lord Moira thought themselves justified 
in putting to death a Colonel Haynes, the propriety of which 
act was afterwards a subject of debate in the British Par- 
liament. 

In 1792 " An Essay upon single Vision with two Eyes." 
In 1794 two letters, in reply to Dr Darwin's remarks in his 
" Zoonomia " upon what Dr Wells had written in his 
" Essay upon Vision ", on the apparent rotation of bodies 
which takes place during the giddiness occasioned by turn- 
ing ourselves quickly and frequently round. These are con- 
tained in the Gentleman's Magazine for September and 
October. 

1795 a Paper, upon the influence which incites the mus- 
cles to contract in Mr Galvani's Experiments. 

In 1797, " Experiments upon the Colour of the Blood " 
These two are published in the Philosophical Transactions. 

In 1799, "A Letter to Lord Kenyon relative to the 
conduct of the Royal College of Physicians of London, in 
the case of Dr Stanger ". 

In 1800, " Some Account of the Life of Mr Anthony 
Lambert, formerly of Calcutta " ; and also, " Some Account 
of Mr George Wilson, apothecary, of Bedford Street, 
Covent-Garden." 

In 1802 " A Biographical Sketch of Dr George For- 
dyce ". 

In 1804 " A short Account of Mr John Savage, formerly 
of Charlestown ", and in 1809, " Biographical Memoirs of 
Dr David Pitcairn ". The five preceding publications ap- 
peared in the Gentleman's Magazine. 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 93 

In 181 1, "Some Experiments and Observations on 
Vision." This was published in the Philosophical Transac- 
tions. 

In 1813, "A Biographical Sketch of Dr Andrew Mar- 
shal." This was published in the Gentleman's Magazine. 

In 1814, " An Essay upon Dew." 

In 181 5, "An Answer to Remarks in the Quarterly 
Review upon the Essay on Dew ". In the same year, " An 
Answer to Mr Prevost's Queries respecting the Explanation 
of Mr B. Prevost's Experiments on Dew." 

In 1 816, "A Short Letter on the Condensation of Water 
upon Glass " These three last appeared in Dr Thomson's 
" Annals of Philosophy." 

Almost all his writings upon Medical subjects are con- 
tained in the second and third volumes of the " Transactions 
of a Society for the Promotion of Medical and Chirurgical 
Knowledge " 

The titles of these writings are : — 

1. " Observations on Erysipelas " 

2. " An Instance of an entire want of Hair on the 
Human body ". 

3. " Observations on the Dropsy which succeeds Scarlet 
Fever ". 

4. " A Case of Tetanus, with Observations on the Dis- 
ease ". 

5. "A Case of Aneurism of the Aorta, communicating 
with the Pulmonary Artery." 

6. " A Case of considerable Enlargement of the Caecum 
and Colon ". 

7. " A Case of extensive Gangrene of the Cellular Mem- 
brane between the Muscles and Skin of the Neck and Chest." 

8. " On Rheumatism of the Heart ". 

9. " On the presence of the Red Matter and Serum of 
the blood in the Urine of Dropsy, which has not originated 
in Scarlet Fever ". 

10. " Observations on Pulmonary Consumption and In- 



94 APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

termittent Fever, chiefly as Diseases opposed to each other ; 
with an attempt to arrange several other Diseases, according 
to the Alliance or Opposition which exists between them, 
and one or other of the two former". 

Besides these, there is a case of Aphonia Spasmodica 
described by him and communicated by Dr Carmichael 
Smith, in the second volume of the " Medical Communi- 
cations ". 

He left behind him many papers; but in the beginning 
of his illness he directed all which then existed, with one ex- 
ception, to be destroyed. The paper which he excepted re- 
lated to the difference of colour and form between the White 
and Negro races of men, and will be published. His other 
papers might have been of great use in accomplishing the 
literary projects he had formed. One of these, which he had 
thought of at times for 40 years, was to show that there is 
a material difference in the manner in which we acquire our 
ideas of the primary and secondary qualities of matter. He 
was reading, with a view to publishing upon this subject 
when he was attacked by his fatal illness. He had also an 
intention of composing several papers upon Vision which he 
would have presented to the Royal Society, the chief of 
which would have treated of those phenomena of light which 
have been denominated by authors, coloured shadows, or 
ocular spectra. When this should have been done, he in- 
tended to have collected all his writings upon Vision into 
one volume, and to have inscribed it, as a tribute of grati- 
tude, to the memory of Robert Wells, his father. It is not 
known that he had any other distinct literary projects; but 
there can be no doubt that his collections upon Medical sub- 
jects, which were very large and numerous, would have 
afforded, in his hands, the materials of many interesting and 
useful publications. 

It would be difficult to delineate fully, and to appreciate 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 95 

exactly, the character of this eminent person. His literary 
productions have made him well known as a learned and 
skilful Physician, as an acute and inventive Philosopher and 
as a perspicuous, vigorous, and elegant Writer ; but those 
who knew him personally estimate him much more highly 
than those who are acquainted only with his writings. His 
powers of mind were strong, acute, comprehensive, and ver- 
satile. He was capable of the most close and long continued 
attention, and of directing this attention at pleasure. His 
knowledge was profound, accurate, various, and ready for 
use. He was not so exact and minute a classical Scholar as 
English Public Schools and Universities produce, nor a deep 
Mathematician ; but he had read some of the Greek and most 
of the Latin Classics with great attention, wrote Latin easily 
and correctly, and had made himself master of the elemen- 
tary books of the inferior branches of Mathematicks. He 
was well acquainted with Natural Philosophy, and particu- 
larly, as his writings show, with Optics, and had learned by 
reading, the facts of Modern Chemistry. He was an acute 
Metaphysician, and intimately versed in the theories of Mor- 
als and Politicks. He knew with great minuteness History, 
ancient and modern, civil and literary; was practically as 
well as theoretically acquainted with Commerce, and had 
studied Political Economy with considerable attention. But 
his mind was remarkable, not so much for being stored with 
particular facts, as with general principles ; and the readiness 
with which new observations were referred to and judged 
of by those principles, was a matter of surprise to those who 
heard him converse. He had studied Belles-Lettres with 
great success. He was familiar with the best writers in the 
English language, and wrote it himself with great purity 
and with singular perspicuity; and, when the occasion called 
for it, with force and elegance. His taste was in an ex- 
traordinary degree correct ; and it is probable that it owed 



96 APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

its correctness, in a great measure, to the habit he was in, 
of exercising it upon every piece of composition which came 
before him. He seldom read any thing, even in manuscript, 
without noticing in the margin, not only the errors in fact 
and reasoning, but those in style. 

He was highly interesting in conversation, not only from 
the information he conveyed, but from the vivacity and 
acuteness of his remarks ; he was fond of making it an exer- 
cise of talent, a sort of intellectual fencing match, a trial of 
skill, a contest for mastery, as well as a means of promoting 
benevolence and knowledge. 

In active life he was remarkable for promptness and de- 
cision, which on all great occasions were united with much 
prudence and caution. He was laboriously diligent; eager, 
and steady in his pursuits, and less satisfied with any pres- 
ent success, than cheered by it in his attempts to obtain 
greater. He was frugal, yet liberal ; high-minded, and un- 
willing to be obliged, perhaps uneasy under obligation, but 
most grateful for kindness; resentful, yet placable; irascible, 
and indulging his feeling when it arose from trifling causes, 
but exercising the utmost self-command under very great 
provocation, if the occasion was important, and propriety re- 
quired it ; indignant at insolence and oppression and regard- 
less of all personal consequences in the expression of his 
indignation, but submissive to the appointments of Heaven, 
and calm and cheerful under the sufferings which flowed 
from them : a sense of duty was the paramount feeling in 
his mind, to which hatred and love, fear and desire gave 
way; and which danger and difficulty served only to make 
more active and vigorous. 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 97 



Extract Memoir from Life of Dr. Wells. 

I was born in Charlestown, South Carolina, in May 1757, 
being the second son but fourth child of Robert and Mary 
Wells both natives of Scotland. My Mother bore many 
children afterwards, none of whom lived more than a few 
years, except one Helena a daughter, who now resides in 
London ; my brother died about twenty years ago ; my two 
eldest sisters Louisa Susannah Aikman and Pricilla Wells 
survive. 

Robert Wells had been bred a bookseller and bookbinder 
when a youth in Dumfries. In Charlestown he added to 
these occupations that of a Printer of a Newspaper, for 
which he was well qualified from his previous education, 
being a good Latin Scholar, and particularly well read in 
History and the belles-lettres. He had besides studied his 
own language grammatically, and wrote it with great cor- 
rectness and purity. He succeeded in Charlestown and sent 
my elder brother nearly five years older than myself to a 
considerable grammar-school at Dumfries which was then 
kept by a Mr George Chapman. 

I was sent from Charlestown to Dumfries School before 
I was eleven years old. I remained at it two and a half years 
by which time I had finished the course of studies usually 
pursued there. His correspondent in Scotland then sent me 
to Edinburgh, in the autumn of 1770 

I returned to Charlestown in 1771 and a few months 
afterwards was placed as an apprentice with Dr. Alex. Gar- 
den the chief practitioner of physic. When I had resided 
with him somewhat more than three years the American 
Rebellion broke out in New England. 

My Father whose conduct as the printer of a newspaper 
had become extremely offensive to the people of Carolina 



9© APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

from his constantly maintaining the cause of royalty, found 
it prudent to leave that Country and to return to Great 
Britain. Soon after he went away, public matters became 
worse and I was desired with others to sign a kind of state 
paper there, " the Association " which as it appeared to me 
to be an open act of rebellion, I positively refused to do. I 
therefore determined to leave the country also, but my 
services were now of considerable importance to my master, 
who was at the same time one of my Father's attorneys, my 
Mother's Brother (Robert Rowand) was also one of his at- 
torneys ; and these two along with my elder brother, strongly 
resisted the execution of my design, but my Mother who was 
a third attorney, a woman of an enthusiastic turn of mind, 
declared that the first public act of my life should never 
disgrace me; she therefore in spite of the attempts of the 
others sent me off to England about three months after my 
Father had parted from her. I arrived in this country in 
the autumn of the same year 1775 and was most kindly re- 
ceived by my father, and applauded by him for my conduct. 

In the beginning of winter of same year (1775) I went 
to Edinburgh and commenced my regular medical education, 
strengthening my firm friendship with Mr D. Hume and 
Mr Miller (now Lord Glenlee) with whom I had kept up 
a correspondence while in Carolina. I studied three win- 
ters in Edinburgh and in the course of that time gained a 
third intimate friend — Dr Robertson Barclay. I passed my 
preparatory trials for the degree of doctor in medicine in 
the summer of 1778; but did not at that time completely 
graduate. In the autumn I returned to London, and at- 
tended a course of Dr William Hunter's lectures and took 
instructions in practical Anatomy. 

In the autumn of 1780 I returned to Edinburgh and 
published my Thesis (upon 'Cold') and received the hon- 
our of being made Doctor in Medicine. While I was at 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON 99 

Edinburgh at this time, I formed a fourth intimate friend- 
ship namely, one with the present Dr Lister of London. 

In consequence of my Brother's arrival from England, 
I embarked at St. Augustine for Great Britain in May 1784. 
As soon as I returned to London I began to seriously study 
my profession to fit myself for the exercise of it, and in con- 
sequence cultivated the acquaintance of medical persons. In 
this way I became acquainted with the present Dr Baillie and 
soon after contracted with him an intimate friendship which 
now constituted the fifth, and has been the last I have ever 
formed. 

The next spring I spent three months in Paris and 
about Midsummer 1785 I returned to London. In the au- 
tumn I had the name of Dr Wells affixed upon the door of 
a lodging which I had hired. 

It must not be regarded as an instance of the weakness 
of an old man's mind, my desiring that my body may be de- 
posited in Lady Jersey's Vault in St. Bride's Church, imme- 
diately above that of my mother, and in contact with it, as 
hers is now placed with respect to that of my father ; for it 
has been my wish for many years past, that this should be 
done. I have, indeed, never been desirous to conquer any 
natural feelings, when their indulgence led to no harm; on 
the contrary I have always regarded such indulgence, as 
highly conducive to the softening of the original hardness 
of my character. 



August 22nd 181 7. 
My father was a man of great sobriety himself, and re- 
stricted me, while I was a boy, from drinking anything but 
water; and I never, in any posterior part of my life, have 
had the least desire to taste any stronger liquor, except in 
compliance with the ordinary customs of society. In 1782 
I became president of a Club in Florida, and agreeably to 

LOFC. 



IOO APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

the custom of the country, thought it necessary to make my 
subjects intoxicated. In this attempt I necessarily became 
somewhat intoxicated myself, but still in a less degree than 
the others, from proceeding more cautiously. During the 
other six days of the week, though living constantly in so- 
ciety, I drank nothing but water, nor did I ever afterwards, 
even before my health became infirm in 1800 desert this 
practice, except I was in Society. 

My father, though naturally a passionate man, in all the 
ordinary affairs of life conducted himself with the greatest 
prudence, except in the case already mentioned, when he 
was induced, by too great ease of temper, to swerve from 
it. My Mother was much his inferior in point of common 
sense, and had a strong tendency to act a little romantically. 

I resembled them both, not only in person but disposi- 
tion ; and in consequence of my resemblance to my Mother 
in this latter circumstance, began early to show signs of a 
certain waywardness of disposition. 



Extracts from a letter of Dr IVilliam Charles Wells. 

Going to Charlestown in 1783 upon some family con- 
cerns, I was arrested there and thrown into goal ; a few days 
after my arrival, in violation of a flag of truce with which 
I had entered the country. Such at least was the opinion of 
Governor Tonyn, who had given that flag; for as soon as 
my arrest was known in Florida he sent a commissioner to 
Carolina, Mr Wyllie, the present Chief Justice of the Ba- 
hama Islands, to demand my release. In the meantime, a 
publication appeared respecting me, signed by the goaler in 
whose custody I had been placed, which began thus : " Will- 
iam Charles Wells, a political sinner of the first magnitude 
in this land, and now suffering but a very small proportion 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON IOI 

of those pains and penalties which his high crimes and mis- 
demeanours have so justly deserved in the common goal 
of this metropolis," &c. Nature had not formed nor had 
education trained me, to submit with silence to oppression. 
By means of money, I got a letter inserted in one of the 
Charlestown newspapers, the following extracts from which 
will show to your Lordship, whether my sentiments then 
partook of disloyalty. 



Charlestown, in Goal, July 17, 1783. 

" I left this place in August, 1775, purposely to avoid 
signing a paper, at that time handed about under the title 
of "An Association." I returned to it in January 1781, when 
in possession of the British Army and left it again with those 
troops in December 1782. I am, I ever was, and I ever shall 
be, a subject of Great Britain. 

" In what respect, therefore, I can be a ' political sinner 
of the first magnitude in this land,' and what are these ' high 
crimes and misdemeanours ' which I have committed, I can- 
not well conceive. If indeed to wish well to my Country 
while contending with the powers, and to be ready at all 
time to lay down my life in support of its honour and in- 
terests, be a crime, I cheerfully plead guilty to the charge." 

" For a freeman to be deprived of his liberty, and lodged 
in a common goal, to be kept constantly locked up in a room, 
whose ceiling is in that condition that the rain pervades it 
in every shower, sometimes in such quantity that it must be 
carried out in pails, and whose only window looks to the 
north, a quarter of the heavens from which the wind never 
blows when the weather is sultry, and which not being 
glazed, obliges him to exclude the cheerful light of day, at 
the same time that he shuts out the storm,* lastly, to be 
without the conversation of his friends, whom the dread of 



102 APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

popular resentment prevents from visiting him ;* * if these 
sufferings are but a small portion of what he is to bear he 
can look forward to nothing but Death as the full expiation 
of his crimes. Grant him but the choice of the mode, and 
he will thank Heaven for the opportunity of demonstrating 
his attachment to his Sovereign. Let but thousands witness 
that his last prayers were for his country's prosperity, and 
it will afford him more exquisite happiness in the extreme 
moments of his life, than good men enjoy when angels sing 
requiems to their departing souls ". 

* Thunder-storms occur almost daily in South Carolina, 
in the months of July and August, and almost always pro- 
ceed from the North or North-west. 

* * Mr John Harleston, and his wife, Mrs Elizabeth 
Harleston, persons of rank and fortune in Carolina. I had 
received many civilities from them during my stay in 
Charlestown, while it was a British garrison, and had on my 
part, done them some small service. But small as this was, 
it sank deep into their noble natures, and constituted a debt, 
unused as they were to receive obligations, which seemed to 
them inextinguishable. On my return to Charlestown, with 
the flag of truce, they insisted upon my staying at their 
house, but it was during my imprisonment that the energy 
of their friendship was chiefly conspicuous. No one day of 
the three months which it lasted passed away, without my 
receiving from them repeated instances of kindness, such 
as I could have expected only from those, who were 
bound to me by the closest ties of blood. This conduct 
would at any time have merited my utmost gratitude; but 
when I consider the circumstances under which it occurred, 
my feelings altogether unman me. Mr. Harleston's estate 
had been heavily amerced by the legislature of South Caro- 
lina ; and at that period, when the affairs of the State were 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON IO3 

regulated by the narrow principles of a petty corporation, 
nothing could tend more to frustrate his hope, that the fine 
would be taken off, than his showing attention to any one 
in my situation. The reins of government also were then 
so feebly held, that the populace almost daily wreaked their 
vengeance upon such as had fallen under their displeasure. 
One night, during the anarchy, a mob surrounded Mr Har- 
leston's house, threatening to destroy it on account of his 
behaviour to me. He was from home but his wife, with the 
spirit and dignity of a Roman matron went out to the rioters, 
and told them that her husband and herself had done noth- 
ing towards me but their duty, and that they should not be 
prevented from continuing to perform it, by any menace 
whatever. One of those persons is since dead, the other still 
exists an ornament to her sex. Excellent woman! enjoying 
in affluence, in the midst of thy children, and their children, 
the calm evening of a well-spent life, and looking forward 
with a firm hope, inspired by our holy religion, to another 
and a better state, though thou seemest already to possess as 
much happiness, as is compatible with the infirmity of our 
present natures, it may yet afford thee some momentary sat- 
isfaction to know, that neither distance of place, nor inter- 
vention of time, hath lessened my sense of thine unspeakable 
goodness ; and that, at this moment, my bosom heaves and 
my eyes drop tears, while I reflect, that without thy tender 
cares concerning me, when sick and in prison, and far re- 
moved from those, whose duty it was to render me service 
under such distress, I might long ago have been numbered 
with the dead. 



Extract from Gentleman's Magazine 1824 

July 6. In Mapledon-place, Burton Crescent, Helena 
Wife of Edward Whitford Esq. She was the youngest 



104 APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

daughter of Mr Robert Wells and Mary his wife, both na- 
tives of Scotland, who settled in Carolina in 1753 an d sister 
of Dr W. C. Wells of whom we gave &c., &c., &c. 

Mrs Whitford was the author of some works of consid- 
erable merit. Constant ia Neville or the Young West In- 
dian, a Novel in 3 vols. (See Gent's Mag. vol. LXX, p. 
663.) The Stepmother, a novel 2 vol. 12 mo. Letters to 
Young Females 12 mo. Thoughts on Establishing an In- 
stitution for the Support and Education of impoverished 
females. 8 vo. 1809. 



Extract from the Autobiography of the late Sir Benjamin 
Brodie, Bart. 

I may take this opportunity of mentioning another so- 
ciety to which I at this time belonged. It was founded in 
the year 1793, by John Hunter and Dr. Fordyce, under the 
name of a ' Society for the Promotion of Medical and Chir- 
urgical Knowledge.' It was originally composed of nine 
members, with a provision that it might be increased to 
twelve, but that it should never exceed that number. When 
they were so kind as to elect me into it, in 1808, Fordyce, 
John Hunter, and Dr John Hunter, three of the original 
members, had been removed from it by death. The existing 
members were Dr. Baillie, Mr Home, Dr. (afterwards Sir 
Gilbert) Blane, Dr. John Clarke, Dr. Robertson Barclay (a 
son of Dr. Robertson, the historian), Dr. Wells, Mr. (after- 
wards Sir Patrick) Macgregor, Mr Wilson, Dr. David Pit- 
cairn, and Dr. Lister. The society had already published 
two volumes, and another was being prepared for publica- 
tion. We met at dinner once in a month (except during 
the summer) at Slaughter's coffee-house in St. Martin's 
Lane. The papers communicated were first read, and then 
discussed and corrected after dinner. Dr. Wells, who acted 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON IO5 

as secretary, was the most active member, and took a great 
deal of trouble even in correcting the literary composition of 
the papers. The third and last volume of their transactions 
was published in the year 1812, and contained one short 
paper of very little value contributed by myself. From this 
time the society continued to exist merely as a dining club, 
Dr. Wells having resigned the secretaryship, to which, 
though it had become little more than a nominal office, I 
succeeded. The meetings, however, were very regularly at- 
tended, and were, to myself at least, very useful and instruct- 
ive. In the year 181 7, Dr. Wells, who had always been a 
person of delicate health, became affected with a serious ill- 
ness, which after some months terminated fatally. Not long 
before his death, he addressed through me, a letter to the 
Society, which I still possess, proposing, as it was not prob- 
able that they would ever publish another volume, that the 
society should be dissolved. I suspect that he was appre- 
hensive that, if it continued to exist, its future volumes 
would not maintain the reputation of those which had pre- 
ceded them. However that might be, the Society acted on 
his suggestion, and on June 2, 1818, the formal dissolution 
of it took place, it being agreed that the book containing the 
minutes of their proceedings should remain in my hands. 

Dr. Wells was one of the most remarkable persons with 
whom it has been my lot to be personally acquainted. He is 
too well known by his writings, among which his ' Essay on 
Dew ' deserves more especial notice, for it to be worth while 
for me to speak of him as a philosopher; but I may venture 
to give some account of him otherwise. He was never mar- 
ried but lived by himself, with (I believe) only a single 
maid-servant, in a small house in Serjeants' Inn, Fleet 
Street. Although he had paid great attention to his profes- 
sion, and had ample opportunities of studying it as a physi- 
cian to St. Thomas's Hospital, he had never more than a 



106 APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

very limited practice. For this, indeed, he was in many re- 
spects very unfit : having dry and, in general society, un- 
gracious manners, and being apt to take offence where no 
offence was intended. Yet he had great kindness and 
warmth of heart mixed up with these less amiable qualities, 
and while he was greatly respected by those who really knew 
him, he was even beloved by the very few with whom he was 
intimate. His autobiography, which is prefixed to the post- 
humous edition of his works, is very characteristic, and, 
when I read it, reminded me very much of that of David 
Hume, to whom, indeed, as to the character of his intellect, 
he bore a considerable resemblance, however different he 
may have been from him in some other respects. 



On the side of the Tomb referred to on page 107 is the 
following inscription : 

J. H. S. 

Louisa Susannah 

Wife of Alexander Aikman 

of Jamaica 

Obit. Nov. 29th 1 83 1 

Aetat 76 



Copy from Register of Burials in Northwood Church 

Burials in the Parish of Northwood in the County of South- 
ampton in the years 1818 and 1831. 

w . By whom the 

Name Abode . • 1 Age Ceremony was 

performed 

W. Nickson, 
1818 — Susanna Aikman W. Cowes Nov. 24th 27yrs. Curate of 

(No. 124) Cowes 

183 1 — Louisa Susannah 
Aikman Cowes Deer. 5th 76 yrs. J. Breeks 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON IO/ 

Extract from Gentleman's Magazine December 1818 
Page 573. 

181 8 Nov. 17. At Prospect House, West Cowes, Isle 
of Wight, in her 27th year, Susannah, fifth daughter and 
seventh child of Alexander Aikman, Senr. Esqr. of the 
Island of Jamaica. " An unspotted life is old age." 



In the Parish Church yard of Northwood, Isle of Wight, 
stands an Altar Tomb of Portland Stone, surrounded by an 
Iron railing, on which is the following Inscription. 



Beneath lies interred all that was mortal of Susannah, 
fifth Daughter and Seventh Child of Alexander Aikman and 
Louisa Susannah, his Wife, of the Island of Jamaica. Her 
meek and quiet spirit returned to him that gave it Nov. 17th 
1818 in her 27th year. " An unspotted life is old age." 

" Stranger, these dear remains contained a mind " 
" guileless as infant's and as angel's kind." 

In the memorable Storm of Novr. 17th and 18th 1795, 
she escaped shipwreck, together with her Father, Mother, 
and infant Sister when above 2000 of their fellow creatures 
met a watery grave near the back of this Island. " Those 
that go down to the Sea in ships, that do business in great 
waters, these are the works of the Lord and his wonders in 
the deep! — but — He brought them to their desired Haven. 

An affectionate Mother raised this humble 
Monument to her departed Saint whose 
pilgrimage ended here. 

In a distant land a Son and five daughters 
have gone down to the silent Tomb! Of such 
is the Kingdom of God. 



108 APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

This Manuscript I desire may be preserved for my 
Grandson Alexander Wells Aikman whom I have brought 
up from early infancy, and who is now in his fourteenth 
year. 1821. 

L S A 

West Cowes. Isle of Wight 



Extract from the Register of Burials (kept at Spanish 
Town, Jamaica) in Half- Way Tree Parish Church Grave- 
yard Kingston Ja. 

Charlotte Aikman. 1st Wife of Alex. Aikman Junr. 
Buried 9th November 1810 Aged 29 

Alexander Aikman Jr. King's Printer. Buried 10th 
April 1 83 1. aged 49 

Alex. Aikman Sr. Planter. Buried 6th July 1838. 

aged 83 

Louisa Susannah Aikman. Daughter of Alex. Aikman 
Jr. Buried 9th April 1841. 

Mary Bryan. 2nd Wife of Alex. Aikman Jr. Buried 
8th October 1850 aged 63. (Buried in A. Aikman Jr.'s 
grave.) 

A. A. Jr. was married to Mary Bryan 10th Jan. 18 14. 
St. Andrews Reg. Vol. 2 Fol. 127. 



Baptisms 
Children of ~\ Alexr wdls Aikman born Ilth Feb l8o8 at Great Ya r- 
A. Aikman Jr. \ mouth England 

and Charlotte AmeHa Aikman « 2nd Dec . l8o9 

Aikman. J 

Mary Ann Aikman born 9th Jan. 1815 

Louisa Susannah Aikman " 24th May 1822 
Eliza Aikman (Hitchins) " 25th April 1825 
William Bryan Aikman " 22nd Oct. 1826 Bap- 

tised 25 June 1827 
Susannah Wetherell Aikman " 17th June 1829 Bap- 
tised 2nd Dec. 1829 
Robert Wetherell Aikman " 17th Nov. 1830 Bap- 
tised 20 May 1 83 1 



Children of 

A. Aikman Jr. 

and 

Mary Bryan 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON IOQ 

Extract from Gentleman's Magazine, Supplement to Vol. 

CI, Part i. 

1 83 1 April 11. In Jamaica, aged 47, Alexander Aik- 
man, Jur. Esq. printer to his Majesty and the Hon. House of 
Assembly in that Island, and proprietor and editor of the 
Royal Gazette. He has left a widow and eight children: 
and his father, whom he succeeded in business still survives. 



Extract from the Obituary of the Gentleman's Magazine 
for December 1831, p. 571; made by W. G. Aikman at 
Stirling's Library, Glasgow on the 24th day of April 
A.D. 1902. 

1 83 1 Novr. 29th. At West Cowes, aged 76, Louisa- 
Susannah, Wife of Alexander Aikman Esqr. formerly King's 
Printer, and Printer to the Assembly of Jamaica, and for 
many years a Member of that house. She was born in 
Charleston, South Carolina, the second daughter of Mr Rob- 
ert Wells, by Mary, eldest child of John Rowand, Merchant 
of Glasgow (a descendant of the unfortunate family of 
Ruthven, Earls of Gowrie, who relinquished that name for 
Rowand) and was sister to W'illiam Charles Wells, M.D. 
F.R.S. L. and E of whom memoirs are given in our vol. 
LXXXVIII ii 380, 467 ; and whose monument in St Bride's, 
Fleet Street is engraved in our Vol XCI i, 505. The death 
of Mrs Aikman's Eldest Son, Alexander Aikman Esqre. 
Printer to the House of Assembly was recorded in our last 
supplement p. 650. She has left two surviving daughters : 
Mary married in 1808 to Jas. Smith of St Andrews Ja- 
maica and has a son and two daughters; and Ann-Hunter 
married in 181 1 to John Enwright Surgeon R. N. who was 
lost at Sea in 181 7, leaving two Sons. 



IIO APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 



Extract from the Gentleman's Magazine for 
June 1821 by W. G. Aikman. 

tvt tt i_ Tune 21 

Mr Urban. J 

As you have been always desirous of showing respect 
to departed worth and professional talent, I beg you to insert 
the annexed representation (see Plate III) of a Tablet lately 
erected in St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, to the memory 
of Dr William Charles Wells, a learned and skilful physi- 
cian, and a frequent contributor to your Monthly Miscel- 
lany. Soon after his death in 181 7, a valuable Memoir and 
masterly character of him appeared in your vol. LXXVII, 
ii, p. 467, from the pen of the same kind Friend,* who dic- 
tated the accompanying Epitaph. At the foot of the Monu- 
ment is a copy of the Medal presented to Dr Wells by the 
Royal Society, on Count Rumford's donation for his Essay 
on Dew. It is to be regretted there is no portrait extant of 
this lamented physician. 

Mr Robert Wells (the Father of Dr Wells) and spoken 
of in the Epitaph, is noticed in your Magazine Vol LXIV 
p. 677 and also in Vol. LXXXVII ii, p. 467. He was a 
man of high honour, tried integrity, and of considerable lit- 
erary attainments. He and his family suffered severely for 
their loyalty during the American War. Three daughters 
still survive; the eldest Mrs Aikman (whose filial and fra- 
ternal affection is here conspicuous) ; the second Griselda, 
unmarried; the youngest, Mrs Helena Whitford, has dis- 
tinguished herself by several publications of considerable 
merit. 

Yours &c. 

J. B. N. 

* Dr Lister 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON III 



Copied by W. G. Aikman from Monument in Half Way 
Tree Church, Kingston, Ja. in April 1902. 

Sacred to the Memory of Mrs Charlotte Aikman the 
wife of Alex. Aikman Jr. Esqre. Printer to His Majesty 
and to the Honourable House of Assembly of this Island 
and second daughter of Robt. Cory Esqre. Attorney at 
Law of Yarmouth Norfolk England who departed this life 
universally beloved and lamented on the 8th day of Novem- 
ber 18 10 in the 29th year of her age. In grateful remem- 
brance of her many virtues and as a testimony of his sin- 
cere and affectionate regard her afflicted husband hath 
erected this monument 



Extract from Obituary of " The Gentleman's Magazine " 
for November 1838. Vol. X New Series p. 556. 

1838 July 6. At Prospect Pen, St Andrews, Jamaica, 
aged 83, Alexander Aikman Esqr. proprietor of Birnam 
Wood and Wallenford in St George's Parish, and late 
Printer of the Jamaica Royal Gazette. 

He was born at Barrowstoun-ness, Co. Linlithgow on 
the 23rd of June 1755, the second son of Andrew Aikman 
and Ann Hunter (the only child of William Hunter and 
his Wife Margaret Aynsley). He left his native country 
for South Carolina at the age of sixteen, having previously 
made a voyage to Danzic. After his arrival at Charleston, 
he apprenticed himself to Mr Robert Wells, a bookseller and 
printer of a newspaper, the father of William Charles Wells, 
M.D. F.R.S. L. and Ed. of whom a long memoir will be 
found in the Gentleman's Magazine for Nov. 181 7, and an 



112 APPENDIX THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE 

engraving of his monument in St Bride's, Fleet Street, 
erected by his daughter Mrs Aikman in that for June 1821. 

The American Revolution caused Mr Aikman to leave 
that Country; and after some wanderings, he fixed his resi- 
dence in Jamaica; where in 1778 he established a newspaper 
called the " Jamaica Mercury " which title, two years after, 
the government patronage having been obtained, was altered 
to that of " The Royal Gazette " under which it still con- 
tinues to be published. He likewise became printer to the 
House of Assembly and King's Printer and having resigned 
those offices to his son Alexander, he was for many years a 
member of the House of Assembly, as representative of the 
parish of St George. After his son's death in 1831, he for 
a short time resumed his business and the conduct of the 
Royal Gazette, but on a favourable opportunity occurring, 
he made his retreat from all commercial anxieties. He was 
a truly honourable, worthy and charitable man; and his 
death is much lamented. Mr Aikman visited Great Britain 
in 1795 (in which voyage he was taken by a privateer, and 
had to repurchase his property at Philadelphia) in 1801, in 
1803, and in 18 14, but from that time had remained at 
home. 

He married at Kingstown, Jamaica, Jan. 14th 1782, 
Louisa Susannah, second daughter of his former master Mr 
Robert Wells. This lady had for four years been his fellow 
dark in her father's office at Charleston. She joined him 
from England after no little peril, having twice attempted the 
voyage: on the first attempt she was captured by the French, 
by whom she was detained for three months in France, and 
on the second by a King's ship, in consequence of taking her 
passage in a slave vessel. By this lady who died on the 29th 
Nov. 1 83 1, (and of whom a brief memoir will be found in 
the Gentleman's Magazine vol. CI pt. ii, p. 571) Mr Aikman 
had two sons and eight daughters, of whom the only sur- 



FROM CHARLESTOWN TO LONDON II3 

vivors are Mary, the wife of Mr James Smith, of St An- 
drews, Jamaica, and Ann-Hunter, the Widow of John 
Enright, Surgeon R.N. His younger son Robert died an 
infant. His elder son and successor in business, Alexander 
Aikman Esqr. died on the nth April 183 1, (see Gentleman's 
Magazine CI, i, 650) leaving a numerous family. 



INDEX 



Active, privateer, n, 12. 

Adventure, ship, 50. 

Aikman, Alexander, mentioned, 107; 
his death, 108, n 1; sketch of, 
in. 

Aikman, Alexander, Jr., death of, 108, 
109, 113; his family, 108. 

Aikman, Alexander W., mentioned, 
108. 

Aikman, Amelia, birth and baptism, 
108. 

Aikman, Ann H., marries John En- 
right, 109,113. 

Aikman, Charlotte, mentioned, 108; 
death of, in. 

Aikman, Eliza, birth and baptism, 108. 

Aikman, Louisa S., see Wells, Lou- 
isa S. 

Aikman, Mary, marries James Smith, 
109, 113. 

Aikman, Mary A., birth and baptism, 
108. 

Aikman, Robert W., birth and bap- 
tism, 108. 

Aikman, Susanna, death of, 106, 107. 

Aikman, Susannah W., birth and bap- 
tism, 108. 

Aikman, W. G., notes on the Wells 
family, 81. 

Aikman, William B. birth and bap- 
tism, 108. 

Allan, Mr., master mate of the ship 
Rose, 14, 24. 

Ancaster, Duke of, mentioned, 42. 

Antill, Major John, in expedition to 
Long Island, 42, 43. 

Apollo, ship, 53. 

Ash, Cato, mentioned, 3. 



Bagly, Roland, mentioned, 81. 

Baillie, Dr., mentioned, 87, 91, 99, 
104. 

Baird, Sir James, mentioned, 53. 

Balcarres, Lord, mentioned, 53. 

Balfour, Gen. Nesbitt, mentioned, 91, 
92. 

Barclay, Dr. Robertson, mentioned, 
85, 98, 104. 

Bayard, Robert, judge Court of Ad- 
miralty, N. Y., 34, 45, 47. 

Bedford, L. I., mentioned, 46. 

Benfield, Mrs., mentioned, 55, 56. 

Bernard, John, Captain in Carolina 
trade, 23; Captain of ship Mary and 
Charlotte, 48. 

Bertie, Lord Robert, mentioned, 42. 

Blane, Dr. Gilbert, mentioned, 104. 

Brian, Captain, commander of the pris- 
on ship at New York, 25, 26. 

British Army, retreat through New 
Jersey, 12; defeated at Monmouth, 
N. J., 12; in possession of New York 
city, 17; reinforce Sandy Hook, 20; 
loyalists join the army at New York, 
23; evacuate Philadelphia, 23; con- 
vert Livingston house in Brooklyn 
into hospital, 28; Royal artillery, 
with British and Hessian infantry, 
encamped in New York city, 32; 
use churches for hospital and riding 
school, 35; at Kingsbridge and Har- 
lem, New York, 37; fiat-bottomed 
boats for landing troops, used by 
the, 37; in expedition to Martha's 
Vineyard, Mass., arrives at White- 
stone and Flushing, L. I., 41, 42; 
evacuate Charleston, S. C, 87. 



n6 



INDEX 



Brodic, Sir Benjamin, extract from his 

autobiography, 104. 
Brooklyn, N. Y., King's brew house, 

28; Livingston house used as hospital 

for British soldiers, 28; site of Battle 

of Long Island, 28. 
Brown, Commodore, at New York, 50. 
Bryan, Mary, death of, 108. 
Bunker Hill, N. Y. city, erected by the 

American army, 1776, 37. 
Byron, Admiral John, his fleet at New 

York, 50, 53. 

Camilla, ship, 12. 

Campbell, Lord William, Royal Gov- 
ernor of S. C, 25. 

Canterbury, England, cost of board 
and lodging at the King's Head Inn, 
66; regiment of Scots-Greys quar- 
tered in, 66. 

Carlisle, Earl, his residence in New 
York struck by lightning, 40; men- 
tioned, 53. 

Carson, Dr., mentioned, 46. 

Cary, Robert, mentioned, 111. 

Cathcart, Lord, mentioned, 53. 

Chapman, George, mentioned, 97. 

Charleston, S. C, scarcity of goods in, 
1 ; thorns of the orange tree used as 
pins, 2; celebration of the defeat of 
the British fleet and troops in 1776, 2; 
wreck of the ship Rising Sun, at, 3; 
the Rev. Archibald Stobo holds di- 
vine service in 1700, 3; St. Michael's 
Church, 5; collectors of customs, 22; 
loyalists banished from, 35; prema- 
ture burials in, 54, 55, 75; British 
army evacuate, 87; newspaper 
printed in 1758, 97; property of 
loyalist amerced, 102. 

Chesapeake Bay, Md., French fleet in, 
12. 

Childs, Nathan, mentioned, 38. 

Clarke, Dr. John, mentioned, 104. 

Clarke, Mrs., mentioned, 29. 

Clinton, Sir Henry, orders troops to 
Sandy Hook, 20; mentioned, 44, 53. 

Coffin Land, S. C, 3. 



Colden, Cadwallader, Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor of New York, 41. 

Connecticut troops in New York city, 
1776, 37; use swords for lightning 
conductors, several officers killed, 

38. 

Corlears Hook, New York city, tavern 

at, 37- 

Cornell, Mr., of Flushing, L. I., men- 
tioned, 43. 

Cromlyne, Mr., of Flushing, L. I., 
mentioned, 43. 

Currie, Dr. James, mentioned, 85. 

Darien Colonists, 3, 78. 

Dartford, England, 68. 

Deal, England, 63. 

Dick, James, secretary to Admiral 

Gambier, 25. 
Donaldson, William, mentioned, 29. 
Drummond, Lord, mentioned, 53. 
Dupuysten, Mr., of Flushing, L. I., 

mentioned, 43. 

Eleonora, ship, arrives at New York, 

23- 

Elizabethtown, N. J., American army 
at, 20. 

Enright, John, surgeon, 109, 113. 

Erskine, Sir William, mentioned, 53. 

Experiment, ship, 17, 18; passes 
through Hell Gate, N. Y., 40; cap- 
tures the Raleigh, 53. 

Falconer, Captain, taken prisoner, 1. 

Fanshaw, Captain, mentioned, 33. 

Faversham, England, 67. 

Ferguson, Captain of ship Venus, 62. 

Flushing, L. I., residence of Col. Archi- 
bald Hamilton, 40; British troops at, 
42; churches, residences, and tree 
nurseries, 43. 

Ford, Captain of the ship Unicorn, 

53- 

Fordyce, Dr. George, sketch of, men- 
tioned, 92, 104. 

Fort Johnston, S. C, 2. 

Fort Moultrie, S. C, 2. 



INDEX 



II 7 



Fort Sullivan, S. C, defeat of the Brit- 
ish at, 2. 

Franklin, Benjamin, mentioned, 38. 

French fleet in Chesapeake Bay, Md., 
12, 36; officers captured, 45. 

Galatea, ship, ^^. 

Gambier, James, Admiral, British 
Navy, in command of port of New 
York, 24, 26; his headquarters, 26. 

Garden, Dr. Alexander, mentioned, 
• 85, 97. 

Georgetown, S. C, collector of cus- 
toms, 23. 

Governor's Island, N. Y., fortifica- 
tions destroyed by the British army, 
28. 

Graham, Mr., mentioned, 36. 

Greenwich, N. Y. city, mentioned, 37. 

Hamilton, Alice, granddaughter of 

Cadwallader Colden, 41. 
Hamilton, Col. Archibald, his resi- 
dence at Flushing, L. I., 40, 43; in 
command of Queens County, N. Y., 
Militia, 43. 
Hanover Square, N. Y. city, Admiral 

Garnbier's headquarters, 26. 
Hargood, Mr., purser of the ship Rose, 

18, 24, 25. 
Harlem, N. Y., British camp at, 37. 
Harleston, Elizabeth, mentioned, 102. 
Harleston, John, loyalist, of Charles- 
ton, S. C, 102. 
Haughton, James, saved from prema- 
ture burial, 75. 
Head, Sir Edmund, purchases the ship 

True Briton, 4. 
Hell Gate, N. Y., 40. 
Henry, Mr., and wife sail from 
Charleston, S. C, 1; mentioned, 50. 
Heywood, Captain, commander of ship 

Martin, 24. 
Hilton, Miss, mentioned, 71. 
Holmes, John, mentioned, 46. 
Howarth, Col. Robert, mentioned, 2. 
Howe, Lord Richard, orders British 
cruisers to New York, 12, 13; his 



fleet in a storm at Sandy Hook, 38; 
captures French officers, 45; his dis- 
asters in pursuit of the French, 53. 

Hume, David, mentioned, 85. 

Hunter, Mr., mentioned, ^^> 37, 44, 
45. 46. 

Hunter, Dr. William, mentioned, 98, 
104. 

Ingram, Mr., of Virginia, 32. 

Innes, Alexander, Colonel S. C. Roy- 
alists, 25, 26. 

Irving, Alexander, collector of customs 
Georgetown, S. C, 23. 

Isis, ship, 53. 

Jamaica, L. I., mentioned, 45. 
Jamaica, W. I., persons saved from 

premature burial in, 75; newspaper 

established, 1778, 112. 
John's Island, S. C, Presbyterian 

church, 3, 46. 
Jordan, Captain, commander of ship 

Galatea, ^^. 

Keppel, Admiral Augustus, mentioned, 

20. 
Kincaid, Mr., purchases the ship True 

Briton, 4; wife, mentioned, 23. 
King's Brew House, L. I., 28. 
Kingsbridge, New York City, British 

army at, 34, 37. 

Lambert, Anthony, life of, mentioned, 
92. 

Laurens, Henry, president of Con- 
gress, 91. 

Lee, Gen. Charles, prisoner in New 
York city, 34. 

L'Esperance, ship, name changed to 
the Providence, 1. 

Leviathan, ship, 50, 56, ^8. 

Lichtcnstein, Captain, of Georgia., 23. 

Lindsey, Marquis of, Captain in Brit- 
ish army at New York, his death, 42. 

Lister, Dr., composes inscription for 
the Wells family tablet, 84; men- 
tioned, 91, 99, 104. 



n8 



INDEX 



Chapman, George, mentioned, 84. 

Livingston, Philip, his house in Brook- 
lyn used as hospital for British sol- 
diers, 28. 

Lock, Lieutenant of the British ship 
Rose, 7; prize master of the cap- 
tured ship Providence, 8; returns to 
the ship Rose, 18; mentioned, 44, 

47- 
Lowther, Barbara, mentioned, 29, 37, 

40, 43. 44- 
Lowther, Margaret, mentioned, 29. 
Lowther, Mrs., mentioned, 39. 
Lowther, Tristrim, mentioned, 29. 
Lowther, William, mentioned, 27, 29; 

his residence in New York city, 

29. 
Loyalists, leave Charleston, S. C, 1, 

23, 35; join the British army at New 

York, 23. 

McBride, Lieutenant of the British 
ship Rose, 8. 

McCulloch, Robert, collector of cus- 
toms, Charleston, S. C, 22, 26. 

Macgregor, Patrick, mentioned, 104. 

Maitland, Mrs. Frederick, mentioned, 

7 r - 
Maitland, Frederick, Jr., mentioned, 

Manson, Mr., owner of ship Provi- 
dence, sails from Charleston, S. C, 
with his family, 1. 

Marshal, Dr. Andrew, sketch of, men- 
tioned, 93. 

Martin, ship, 24. 

Mary and Charlotte, ship, 48. 

Mickie,.Mr., mentioned, 29. 

Middle Dutch Church, New York 
City, used as a riding school for the 
British army, 35- 

Miller, William, mentioned, 85, 86. 

Mills, John, mentioned, 54, 76. 

Monmouth, N. J., defeat of the British 
army at the battle of, 12. 

Morley, Mr. and Mrs., mentioned, 50. 

Morning Star, ship, struck by lightning 
at New York, 39. 



Nautilus, ship, 12. 

New York City, British cruisers or- 
dered to, 12; occupied by the British 
army, 17; loyalists in, join the Brit- 
ish army, 23; prison ship, 25; Ad- 
miral Gambier's headquarters, Han- 
over Square, 26; Court of Admiralty, 
27; residence of Mr. Lowther, 29; 
King's dockyard, 31; encampment 
of Royal artillery, British and Hes- 
sian infantry, 31; redoubts, 32; Hes- 
sian hospital, 32; Jews' cemetery, 
32; board and lodging, one guinea a 
day, 3^; city hall, 34; Gen. Charles 
Lee, a prisoner in, 34; fire in King's 
stores, 34; the fire of 1776, 35; 
churches used as hospital and riding 
school, 35; one-third of the popula- 
tion leaves the city in 1776, 35 ; forti- 
fications in 1776, 37; flat-bottomed 
boats used by the British army for 
landing troops, 37; Connecticut 
troops in, 1776, 37; severe storms, 
38; houses and vessel struck by light- 
ning, 39; Dutch roof houses, 39; 
abundance of provisions, 52. 

North Dutch Church, New York City, 
used as a hospital for the British 
army, 35. 

Palliser, Sir Hugh, mentioned, 20. 

Parker, Sir Peter, in command of Brit- 
ish fleet at Sullivan's Island, S. C, 2. 

Philadelphia, Pa., evacuated by the 
British army, 23. 

Pins, thorns of the orange tree used 
as, 2. 

Pitcairn, Dr. David, memoirs of, men- 
tioned, 92, 104. 

Powell, Captain, privateer, active, 11. 

Pratt, Mr., mentioned, 55. 

Prince, William, of Flushing, L. I., 
mentioned, 43. 

Prosper, ship, 4. 

Providence, ship, sails from Charles- 
ton, S. C, 1 ; captured by British ship 
Rose, 7; cargo of the, 7; arrives at 
Sandy Hook, 13; at Gravesend, 
L. I., 20; at New York, 22; passen- 



INDEX 



119 



gers placed under arrest, 25; re- 
leased, 26; cargo libelled, 27; court 
decides that the ship and cargo be 
restored to the owners, 47. 

Queens County, N. Y., militia, in ex- 
pedition to east Long Island, 43. 

Raleigh, ship, 53. 

Rawdon, Lord, mentioned, 53. 

Reid, James, Captain of the British 
ship Rose, captures ship Provi- 
dence, 7; rude behavior of, 7, 9, 10, 
18, ^^; his claims for the capture of 
the Providence, 47. 

Rising Sun, ship, with Darien colo- 
nists on board, wrecked at Charles- 
ton, S. C, 1700, 3. 

Rivington, James, printer in New 
York, 26. 

Robertson, Andrew, mentioned, 54, 55. 

Rochester, England, 67. 

Roome, Mr., mentioned, 29. 

Rose, British ship, captures the ship 
Providence, 7. 

Roupell, Annie, mentioned, 23. 

Roupell, George, collector of customs, 
Charleston, S. C, 22. 

Rowand, Archibald, death of, 32. 

Rowand, Charles E., sails from 
Charleston, S. C, 1, 49. 

Rowand, Robert, sails from Charles- 
ton, S. C, 1, 49; mentioned, 97. 

Rum Adventure, ship, 48. 

St. Augustine, Fla., 87, 99. 

St. Bride's Church, London, n, 35, 
99, no. 

St. George's Chapel, N. Y. City, ser- 
vices held in, 1776, 35. 

St. Michael's Church, Charleston, 
S.C.,5. 

St. Paul's Chapel, N. Y. City, escapes 
fire of 1776, 35. 

Sally Cooper, ship, 50, 60. 

Sandwich, ship, 20. 

Savage, John, death of, 82; sketch of, 
92. 



Scotch Colony at Darien, 3, 78. 

Scotch Presbyterian Church, N. Y. 
City, services held in, 1776, 35. 

Sea Island, S. C, called Coffin Land, 3. 

Smith, Dr. Carmichael, mentioned, 
94. 

Smith, James, mentioned, 109, 113. 

Smith, Mary, mentioned, 109. 

Spens, Mr., mentioned, 29. 

Stanyarne, Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. 
Archibald Stobo, 3. 

Stanyarne, Joseph, son-in-law of Rev. 
Archibald Stobo, 3. 

Staten Island, N. Y., British army en- 
camped on, 28. 

Stevens, Richard, Captain of ship 
Providence, sails from Charleston, 
S. C, 1, 4; his vessel captured, 7; 
appears before Court of Admiralty 
at New York, 34; court decides in 
favor of, 47, 48. 

Stirling, Col. Thomas, arrives at 
Flushing, L. I., with his regiment, 
the 71st, or Old Highland Watch, 42. 

Stobo, Rev. Archibald, holds divine 
service at Charleston, S. C, 1700, 3. 

Stobo, Elizabeth, great-granddaughter 
of Rev. Archibald Stobo, 3. 

Stranger, Dr., mentioned, 87, 92. 

Stroud, England, 67. 

Sullivan's Island, S. C, defeat of the 
British at, 2. 

Sutherland, Miss, mentioned, 71. 

Swift, ship, 16. 

Tellfair, Mr., mentioned, 36. 

Thorn, Oliver, mentioned, 41. 

Thorney, Frances, sails from Charles- 
ton, S. C, 1, 5; ship in which she is 
a passenger captured, 7; part owner 
of indigo on board captured vessel, 
18; arrives at New York, 24; re- 
ceives value of indigo, 48; sails for 
England, 50. 

Tonyn, Patrick, Governor of Florida, 
100. 

Trinity Church, N. Y. City, destroyed 
in the fire of 1776, 35. 



120 



INDEX 



True Briton, ship, 4. 

Tryon, Gov. William, in expedition to 

Long Island, 42, 43. 
Tunno, Mr., mentioned, 36. 
Tutnall, Mr. and Mrs., of Georgia, 

taken prisoners by the French fleet, 

exchanged, sent to New York, 36; 

mentioned, 48. 

Unicorn, ship, 53. 

Urquhart, Captain, in Carolina trade, 

23- 
Usk, Mr., mentioned, 41. 
Ustick family, of Flushing, L. I., 

mentioned, 43. 

Venus, ship, 62. 

Wallace, Sir James, commander of the 
ship Experiment, 17, 18; passes 
through Hell Gate, N. Y., in the ship 
Experiment, 40; captures ship Ra- 
leigh, 53. 

Walton, William, residence in New 
York, 39. 

Wauchope, Mrs., mentioned, 71. 

Washington, Gen. George, mentioned, 

37- 

Washington Life Guards, killed in ac- 
tion in New Jersey, 53. 

Weir, Mr., and wife sail from Charles- 
ton, S. C, 1. 

Weir, Mrs., mentioned, 59, 62. 

Wells, Griselda, mentioned, no. 

Wells, Helena, mentioned, 97; death 
of, 103; list of her works, 104. 

Wells, Mary, death of, 81; tablet 
erected to the memory of, 83. 

Wells, Miss, mentioned, 71. 

Wells, Dr. John, mentioned, 76. 

Wells, Louisa S., portrait facing title 
page, sails from Charleston, S. C, 1; 
regrets the want of British manu- 
factures, 1; escapes drowning, 2; 
ship in which she is a passenger cap- 
tured by the British ship Rose, 7; 
arrives at Sandy Hook, 13; part 
owner of indigo on the captured ship 



Providence, 18; arrives at Graves- 
end, L. I., 20; at Staten Island, 22; 
at New York, 24; describes harbor of 
New York, 28; guest of Mr. Low- 
ther, 29 ; describes lower part of New 
York, 31; cost of dress and pas- 
sage, 33; appears before the Court of 
Admiralty, N. Y., 34; does not favor 
New England Presbyterians, 35; 
regrets that the ship Providence was 
not captured by the French, 36; visits 
the fortifications of New York, 37; 
describes violent storm of thunder, 
lightning, and rain in New York, 39; 
visits Col. Archibald Hamilton and 
family at Flushing, L. I., 40; de- 
scribes the town of Flushing, L. I., 
43; returns to New York, 45; court 
decides in her favor for claim of part 
of the cargo of captured ship Provi- 
dence, 47, 48; prefers residence in the 
torrid zone to New York, 48; sails 
for England, 49; arrives at Deal, 
England, 61; describes the latter 
town, 63; arrives at Canterbury, 
England, 65 ; her journey to London, 
67-69; saves many persons in Ja- 
maica, W. I., from premature burial, 
75; erects tablet to the memory of 
her parents, 83; epitaph on tomb- 
stone, 106; sketch of, 109; marries 
Alexander Aikman, 112. 

Wells, Priscilla, mentioned, 97. 

Wells, Robert, poetical letter to his 
wife, 44, 77; birth and marriage, 77; 
pensioned, 79; death, 80; account of 
moneys received by him from the 
government, 80; tablet erected to his 
memory, 83; bookseller in Scotland, 
97; printer of newspaper in Charles- 
ton, S. C, 97, in; his family, 
no. 

Wells, William C, mentioned, 71, 82; 
tablet erected to his memory, 83; 
biographical sketch of, 84; list of 
works compiled by, 92; extract from 
memoir of his life, 97; extracts from 
letter of, 100. 



INDEX 



121 



Whitestone, L. I., British troops at, 

41. 
Whitford, Helena, death of, 103; list of 

works by, 104. 
Whitford, Edward, mentioned, 103. 
Wilks, John, mentioned, 50. 
Williams, Mr., mentioned, 36. 
Wilson, George, sketch of, mentioned, 

92. 



Winslow, Jane I., home in New York 
struck by lightning, 39. 

Winslow, Miss, mentioned, 39. 

Wilson, Mr., mentioned, 104. 

Woodrop, George, premature burial of, 
54, 55, 56, 75, 76. 

Wyllie, Mr., chief justice Bahama Isl- 
ands, 100. 

Zebra, ship, 12. 



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